Xinhua
March 17, 2011 - 12:00am
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/17/c_13782397.htm


Gaza-based rights groups on Wednesday called on Islamic Hamas movement's government that rules the Gaza Strip to probe its police's violent attacks against peaceful rallies in Gaza on Tuesday.

The Gaza Strip and the West Bank had witnessed on Tuesday massive popular rallies that called on Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah party to end their internal division and reach a reconciliation agreement.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said in a press statement that members of Hamas government security dispersed by force on Tuesday evening a peaceful youths rally held in Gaza City.

"Members of Hamas security forces, wearing civilian uniform and were holding wood clubs attacked the protesters. There were lawyers and journalists among the people that were beaten," said the center.

The statement said that the police and the security forces of Hamas government used force to disperse the protestors, adding that dozens of people suffered various wounds.

Meanwhile, al-Azhar University in Gaza city accused Hamas government police of storming the university's grounds and dispersed a peaceful sit-in that also called for an end to the internal division.

"A number of students who belong to Hamas movement and members of the security and the police beat up the male and female students on campus," said the university in a statement emailed to reporters.

The statement added that the activities of the students during the rally on campus focused on holding banners that called for ending the division and calling for reconciliation.




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