Hamas Accused of Targeting Fatah Activists in Gaza
Palestinian rights groups have called on Hamas to cease harassing Fatah members, after several were detained in Gaza in recent weeks.
In another sign that Palestinian reconciliation is nowhere on the horizon, Hamas' internal security services (ISS) have summoned and detained dozens of Fatah activists across the Gaza Strip over the past few weeks, according to the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR).
"The campaign started with summons that were sent to the majority of the arrested persons to refer to the ISS head office each in his area and/or arrest them from their houses. ... [It] targeted a number of Fatah leaders, including current and former province secretaries, area secretaries and other members. The arrested persons were questioned about giving money to families of Fatah members who were wounded or killed during the events of June 2007," the PCHR stated in a media release issued on Aug. 13.
A Fatah member and former government employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Al-Monitor that he was summoned on Aug. 19 to the ISS office in his area.
The activist said he was expecting the summons after his colleagues were also called in, and he went to the ISS in the evening. He told Al-Monitor he was interrogated about his previous work, and whether he was still on the payroll of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority. He was also asked about being a fan of a "Tamarod" Facebook page in Gaza.
