It’s been nearly two months since Hamas seized control of Gaza. Since then there has been many changes. Factional street fighting has virtually disappeared. Before Hamas took control of Gaza, rival political parties fought with each other. The violence reached a peak during the days prior to the coup. When Hamas forced Fatah out of Gaza, the level of violence subsided. Hamas controlled militia, known as the Executive Force, worked hard to rid lawlessness from Gaza and restore order.
This new security comes at a heavy price. Hamas’s takeover of Gaza has seen an increase in discrimination and harassment of members of other political parties, especially Fatah supporters. Palestinian Centre for Human Rights has documented the numerous allegations of mistreatment of Palestinians by Hamas and its Executive Force.
Recent allegations include the dismissal of high ranking officials who are also Fatah supporters. Jumaa al-Saqqa was dismissed from his post as public relations chief at Shifa Hospital for his support of Abbas and the interim government. Following his dismissal, he and his son were arrested by the Executive Force, but were later released. In addition to al-Saqqa, the director of the hospital, also a Fatah supporter, was also dismissed. Other allegations against Hamas include the report of Executive Force storming and shutting down opposition television and radio stations.
Also, the Executive Force recently enforced a ban on public demonstrations and public gatherings. According to Ehab Al Ghsain, spokesman of the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza, demonstrators must obtain a special permit to demonstrate 48 hours prior to the event, so that proper protection for the participants may be given. On Monday, members of the Executive Force stopped buses filled with protesters from entering Gaza City, beat its passengers and turned the bus around. Despite the Executive Force stopping buses filled to demonstrators, 300 still managed to reach the rally site. At the rally, officers of the Executive Force confiscated cameras, video recorders, and cell phones with camera taking capabilities; even those belonging to journalists.
The ban on demonstrations and public gatherings is a response to an increased number of rallies and demonstrations over the weekend by Fatah supporters. These rallies are a reaction of the arrests of Fatah members made during a wedding and a previous demonstration.
For more information please see:
BBC: “Hamas forces ‘beat Gaza rivals’” 13 August 2007.
Gulfnews.com: “Hamas bans unlicensed rallies in Gaza” 13 August 2007.
Ha’aretz: “Hamas forcibly breaks up Fatah rally in Gaza, confiscates cameras” 13 August 2007.
International Herald Tribune: “Hamas opponents protest in Gaza, defying ban and militia force” 13 August 2007.
Middle East Times: “Two months on, Hamas tightens grip on Gaza” 13 August 2007.
Reuters: “Hamas cracks down on ‘unlicensed’ rallies in Gaza” 13 August 2007.
New York Times: “20 hurt as Fatah members protest arrests at wedding” 12 August 2007.
BBC: “Hamas detains Fatah men in Gaza” 11 August 2007.
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights: “Press Releases”.
