BICOM

Tens of thousands of Palestinians held demonstrations in the West Bank and Gaza yesterday calling for reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah and for the formation of a Palestinian unity government. Hamas members broke up crowds that gathered in Gaza. It was the first incident where the Hamas authority has been challenged by residents since it took over control of the Strip in 2007. Reports said that Hamas security officers, in plain clothes, beat protesters with clubs and destroyed tents set up in Katiba Square, west of Gaza City. Dozens were reportedly injured.

The pro-reconciliation demonstrations were originally organised by independent activists on Facebook influenced by the changes sweeping through the region. Young Hamas supporters were most prominently represented in Gaza, but small groups loyal to Fatah and other small Palestinian factions were also present. In Ramallah, the seat of the West Bank government, some 8,000 demonstrators – most of them university students and youths – marched through a central square, calling for national unity.

In other news, Israelis across the country yesterday stood silent for five minutes to remember captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit who has been held in captivity for five years in Gaza by Hamas.