The Palestinian Fatah movement announced Monday that Hamas security forces have arrested hundreds of its supporters, who back Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Hamas-controlled Ministry of the Interior in Gaza denied the claim.
Fatah spokesmen Atef Abu Seif said that more than 500 Fatah leaders and their sons have been arrested in Gaza since Sunday evening.
“Our sons have been arrested because of their insistence on celebrating” the 54th anniversary of Fatah’s founding, he explained.
He added that arrests took place through “kidnapping Fatah members from the streets, raiding their homes and confiscating posters and other material that were going to be used during our rallies.”
He also accused Hamas of torturing some of the detainees.
Fatah had previously announced that it will commemorate in Gaza on January 7 the anniversary of its establishment, where Abbas is to deliver a speech.
Spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Gaza Iyad al-Bozum denied that Hamas is holding Fatah detainees, questioning the allegations against Hamas.
He did, however, confirm that 38 people from Gaza have been summoned for questioning as part of measures to maintain the calm and order and prevent any tensions with Fatah. They have all since been released.
