Report: Facebook removes Ismail Haniyeh fan page

The popular online social network Facebook has removed a group supporting Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Sunday.

The Facebook group, called "Commander Ismail Haniyeh," had boasted more than 10,000 members before it was shut down.

Facebook imposes stringent guidelines on users and closely monitors activity in the network. Numerous users and groups have been barred, and surfers fear the next to be removed could be Khaled Meshal's 17,000-strong fan page, dedicated to the exiled leader of the Islamic organization.

The network has not imposed a comprehensive ban on Hamas sympathizers, though, and several other Haniyeh fan groups continue to operate.