'Hamas rounding up, torturing Fatah activists in Gaza Strip'

Hamas militiamen have rounded up hundreds of Fatah activists on suspicion of "collaboration" with Israel during Operation Cast Lead, Fatah members in the Gaza Strip told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

Hamas gunmen in the Gaza Strip.
Photo: AP

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They said the Hamas crackdown on Fatah intensified after the cease-fire went into effect eary Sunday morning.

The Fatah members and eyewitnesses said that the detainees were being held in school buildings and hospitals which have been turned by Hamas into make-shift interrogation centers.

Hamas has also renewed house arrest orders that were issued against thousands of Fatah officials and activists in the Gaza Strip shortly after the military operation started.

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A Fatah official in Ramallah told the Post that at least 100 of his men have been killed or wounded as a result of the massive crackdown by Hamas. He said that some of the Fatah activists had been brutally tortured by Hamas militiamen.

He said that the perpetrators belonged to Hamas's armed wing, Izaddin al-Kassam, and the movement's Internal Security Force.