HAMAS KILLS 7 AT FATAH RALLY FOR ARAFAT IN GAZA

7 Dead After Hamas Fires on Arafat Rally (Breitbart)
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - A rally of more than 250,000 Fatah supporters ended in mayhem Monday, with Hamas police opening fire and demonstrators hurling rocks or running for cover. Seven civilians were killed and dozens of people were wounded in the intra-Palestinian violence.

The rally in a Gaza City square, marking the Nov. 11, 2004 death of iconic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, posed the strongest challenge to Hamas rule in Gaza since the Islamic militant group seized the impoverished territory by force in June. The images of Hamas policemen facing off against large groups of rock-throwers challenged Hamas' claim that it has established tight control.

Deadly clash at Arafat Gaza rally (BBC)
At least six people have died in gunfire at a rally in Gaza City organised by Fatah to mark three years since the death of Yasser Arafat.

The violence occurred when Fatah supporters began taunting Hamas police and throwing stones, witnesses said.

The Hamas security forces reportedly responded by firing towards the crowd.

It was the biggest rally held by the late president's party since it was ousted from Gaza by Hamas in June after a series of bloody clashes.

'Hamas carried out 'heinous crime'' (JPost)
Hamas' violent dispersal of a mass Fatah rally in Gaza on Monday was a "heinous crime," Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's office said.

"This heinous crime is decisive evidence that the coup leadership of Hamas is out of step with the national values and customs and is using blind force and the most bloody and brutal techniques against our people in Gaza," said a statement by Abbas' office. Abbas is currently in Egypt.

The incident was a sign of Hamas's growing difficulties, former Gaza strongman Mohammed Dahlan of Fatah said Monday.

"The shooting and killing, these sad and shameful scenes carried out by the Hamas gangs against innocent people and civilians today, are a sign of the failure and breakdown of Hamas' path," Dahlan said.