GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon left painful memories in the minds of thousands of Palestinians. He became known as "the butcher" in many circles, in light of his indifference toward the killing and displacement of Palestinians, especially in the Palestinian camps.

An atmosphere of joy and gloating prevailed in the Gaza Strip as news arrived of Sharon's death on Jan. 11 — after having spent eight years in a coma in an Israeli hospital. He is considered one of the most murderous Israeli figures against the Palestinians.

Activists belonging to various Palestinian parties distributed candy in some neighborhoods of Gaza City, carrying pictures of Sharon with a red circle around him and a line through his face. They celebrated the announcement of his death, regarding it as a "holy day" worth celebrating.

All Palestinian factions agreed that Sharon was a war criminal deserving of death, and he should not be mourned. Rather, in their view, he deserved more than death and should have been referred to international courts after committing crimes against Palestinians in both Lebanon and Palestine.