GAZA, Tuesday, February 26, 2019 (WAFA) – The Gaza-based Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights denounced in a statement today Hamas crackdown on Fatah activists in the besieged Gaza Strip and called on the movement that rules the sea enclave to end its violation of the right of expression and protest.

According to al-Mezan, Hamas operatives attacked and arrested Fatah activists on Saturday who were taking part in a rally in the north of Gaza in support of President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas has also summoned dozens of Fatah members throughout the Strip for questioning.

It said the more than 90 persons summoned on Saturday were interrogated about their views expressed on social media in support of Abbas and were verbally abused before detaining some and releasing others but ordering them to turn themselves over to Hamas security offices in the next morning.

Al-Mezan quoted 52-year-old Hasan Wali saying that even though he is diabetic and has kidney failure, he was nevertheless severely beaten by Hamas operatives when he turned himself over to them on Sunday and verbally abused while he was blindfolded. He said he was questioned about his writings on social media in support of Abbas.

The rights center said it takes the crackdown on rallies and detention of Fatah activists very seriously, citing particularly raids at homes of Fatah members and searching them without a warrant.

It called for investigating these abuses and for immediately halting these violations.

M.K.