Fatah says Hamas bans marking Arafat's death anniversary in Gaza

Fatah party on Wednesday said Islamic Hamas movement prevented activities to mark the death of late leader Yasser Arafat for three years in a row in the Gaza Strip.

A committee representing the factions of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Gaza asked for permission from Hamas authorities to mark the sixth anniversary of Arafat's death, but Hamas, which controls Gaza, turned down the request, said Faisal Abu Shahla, a Fatah official.

Ihab Al-Ghussein, spokesman of the Interior Ministry of the deposed Hamas government, said his authorities did not recognize the PLO's committee and thus its request was rejected.

The last time Hamas allowed Fatah to mark the anniversary of its founder was in November 2007, just five months after Hamas ousted Fatah and took over the Gaza Strip. Dozens were killed in clashes with Hamas security members during the event, most of whom were Fatah supporters.

Arafat, the first Palestinian National Authority (PNA) chairman, died in 2004 in a hospital in France.

Source: Xinhua