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Hamas security forces have broken up a demonstration by thousands of Gaza residents loyal to the Fatah faction of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. Members of the Executive Force fired shots into the air and briefly detained a number of journalists on Friday in Gaza City. The protesters chanted pro-Fatah slogans as they marched along the streets, applauding as others smashed an unmanned Hamas post at the side on the road. Rocks were thrown at a security compound commandeered by Hamas when they took full control of the territory after street battles in June. A Reuters news agency photographer said he was beaten by the Executive Force personnel. Abed-Rabbo Shana said: "They were beating me from behind, not heavily." He said one man had pointed a rifle at his legs and threatened to fire. "Journalists intervened and also Fatah youth ... giving me a way to escape," he said. Fatah had called for its supporters to assemble at the Unknown Soldier square as a peaceful protest against Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip, but the gathering turned into a rally. "The events today are a clear sign that Fatah did not vanish with the Hamas coup," a Fatah official said. "People are against Hamas suppression of Fatah. Hamas thought it can eliminate Fatah, they are wrong. Fatah is rising again". |