GAZA CITY, Gaza – On November 12, Palestinians celebrated the life of Yasser Arafat.  In Gaza City, several thousand Fatah supporters took part in the biggest rally organized by Fatah since Hamas took-over in June.  While public gatherings are banned by Hamas, they did not act to prevent the rally.  However, members of Hamas’€™ security force, the Executive Force, were positioned around the rally.

During the rally, weapons were fired.  The BBC reports that five people were killed and over a hundred wounded as members of Hamas’ Executive Force fired at the protesters.  According to the Associated Press, five people were killed and at least 31 injured; three critically.  Eyewitnesses report that members of the Executive Force detained protesters following the incident.

Hamas officials state that members of the Executive Force fired as a result of protesters throwing stones at them.  They also claim that militants affiliated with Fatah were on the rooftops and were firing at the crowd.

For more information, please see:

AFP -€“ Deadly gunfire at massive Arafat rally in Gaza -€“ 12 November 2007

Al Jazeera – Five dead in Gaza rally shootings – 12 November 2007

Associated Press – Hamas, Fatah supporters clash in Gaza – 12 November 2007

BBC – Five die at Arafat rally in Gaza -€“ 12 November 2007

Reuters – Five dead in gunfire at Fatah rally in Gaza – 12 November 2007