Hundreds of Hamas' executive security force on Friday prevented, by force, thousands of its rival Fatah movement's supporters from praying in public squares in the Gaza Strip, witnesses said.
They said that dozens of Fatah supporters, who came to pray in public squares, were detained by the force in several areas in the strip, adding that clashes erupted between the two sides.
Hospital officials said that at least 30 Palestinians wounded allover the Gaza Strip, 14 were shot and the rest were beaten by clubs, including five local cameramen.
However, Colonel Yousef al-Zahar, in charge of the Hamas executive force in the Gaza Strip told reporters that the aim is not to prevent people from prayers, "prayers is for Allah (God) only in the mosques."
"Our forces are here not to prevent people from prayers, but to prevent those who are using prayers in public squares to violate the law and carry out violent actions against our force and against public properties," said al-Zahar.
Last Friday, thousands of Fatah supporters prayed in Gaza public squares. At the end of the prayers, they demonstrated against Hamas movement, causing 20 wounded and dozens detained.
One of the prayers, recognized himself as Ibrahim Ahmed, 34, of Gaza said "Hamas movement fired moderate Imams and replaced them by Hamas Imams who use the mosque to incite against Fatah movement. "
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah movement called on the Palestinians to challenge Hamas, and refrain from praying in Hamas-controlled mosques.
"Mosques are for God and Hamas is not the agent of God. Therefore, because Hamas controls the mosques and use them for incitement, we will keep prayers in public squares," said Ahmed.
Witnesses said that senior Fatah leader Zakareya el-Agha and chief of the national follow-up committee Ibrahim Abu el-Najja arrived to a public square in western Gaza for Friday prayers.
They said that dozens of the Hamas executive force surrounded them and forced them to leave the yard, following arguments that were about to turn into violence. Both denied reports saying they were detained.
Source: Xinhua
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