Last update - 00:00 15/11/2007
Hamas to release Fatah supporters detained after Gaza rally
By DPA
Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Gaza, ordered on Thursday the release of most of the Fatah supporters who were detained by Hamas police forces after a large rally earlier this week.
Haniyeh said in a televised speech that he instructed the police to release most of the over 400 Fatah supporters detained, "except those who were involved in riots and disturbances."
Haniyeh continues to act as prime minister in Gaza, though he was dismissed from the position by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah after Hamas violently seized control over the Strip in June.
On Monday, eight Fatah supporters were killed, including seven who were shot dead by the Hamas police forces in western Gaza, and dozens were wounded, during the pro-Fatah rally attended by an estimated 300,000 people.
Haniyeh said an inquiry panel would investigate the circumstances of Monday's events.
Earlier, Abbas, in his strongest statement since June, described Hamas as
"a criminal gang killing people in cold blood," and called on the Palestinians in Gaza "to topple" the Islamic movement.
Haniyeh, who rejected the president's statements about his movement, said
Abbas' security forces in the West Bank should "release Hamas prisoners from its jails," and called for a national dialogue.
He also slammed the international meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is due to be held by the end of November at Annapolis, Maryland.
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