Hamas security take to the streets before Friday prayers

Описание: (31 Aug 2007)

1. Wide of Hamas police walking in Gaza street
2. Hamas police passing people
3. Various of Hamas police patrolling in street
4. Various of Hamas police standing near wall
5. More of police standing at street by pick-up truck
6. Hamas police walking down street
7. Wide of police running
8. Car and police in street

STORYLINE:

Hamas security forces patrolled the streets of Gaza on Friday morning, as the rival Fatah movement prepared for public noon prayers in two locations in Gaza City.

Tension has been growing in the Gaza Strip ahead of this week's Fatah organised prayers, after Hamas gunmen fired over the heads of demonstrators who gathered in the streets for similar prayers last week.

The Islamic militant group claims it is willing to tolerate dissent but has cracked down on the remnants of Fatah in Gaza, including breaking up private parties earlier this month where people were singing pro-Fatah songs.

Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in five days of bloody internecine fighting in June.

After Hamas' victory in Gaza two months ago, moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah formed a new emergency government in the West Bank.

Following the swift Hamas takeover in Gaza, Abbas threw Hamas out of the unity government with his Fatah Party and formed his new Cabinet based in the West Bank.

That government has been embraced by the international community while Hamas has remained largely isolated in Gaza.

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