The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)held on Tuesday rival Fatah movement for the violence which erupted in the Gaza Strip overnight leaving eight people killed and more than 30 wounded.
On Monday night, hundreds of Fatah supporters clashed with Hamas police forces in southern and northern Gaza Strip, as Hamas police prevented Fatah supporters to celebrate 43 years for their movement 's founding.
Fatah movement accused Hamas militants for detaining senior Fatah leader in Gaza Ibrahim Abu el-Najja. However, spokesman of Hamas interior office Ihab al-Ghusein denied that his police had detained Abu al-Najja on Monday night.
But Fatah movement sources said that he was arrested for one hour by masked Hamas militants, where they humiliated him and forced him to shave his mustache and hair.
"Fatah members are responsible for the riots that erupted in the area of Khan Younis (in southern Gaza Strip). Fatah militants shot dead a police office, an Imam of a mosque and a child in the town," said Hamas leaflet.
Fatah movement, loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas, celebrated in West Bank and Gaza the 43-year-anniversary for its founding. However, in Gaza Hamas movement decided to prevent Fatah supporters from celebrating by force.
Hamas' decision to prevent Fatah supporters from celebrating was taken in response to preventing Hamas supporters from celebrating the founding of their movement on Dec. 15 in the West Bank.
Although Hamas security forces decided to prevent by force Fatah supporters to celebrate, they celebrated by launching fireworks all-over Gaza.
But Hamas police forces detained dozens of those who launched fireworks, and forced residents to take down the yellow flags of Fatah movement hanged on the walls and electricity polls.
Clashes erupted after midnight between Hamas police and Gaza clans loyal to Fatah movement in Sabra and Sheja'eya neighborhoods in Gaza City. One person was killed and several houses in the two neighborhoods were destroyed.
Meanwhile, President Mahmoud Abbas presented a new initiative of reconciliation with Hamas movement that rules Gaza since it ousted his forces in mid June. He called on Hamas to open a new chapter based on dialogue.
Hamas movement said in a statement sent to reporters that Abbas calls is not new and doesn't change reality as long as he conditions the resumption of dialogue. "Dialogue should be resumed without any preconditions."
"Ending the black military coup and get back to the table of dialogue is much easier than rejecting the dialogue under silly pretexts," said Abbas in his speech he addressed in the occasion of Fatah founding.
Source: Xinhua
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