Ma'an – Deposed Palestinian prime minister Isma'il Haniyeh on Thursday evening called for the formation of a "transparent and impartial national committee" to investigate Monday's bloody events in Gaza City that left seven dead and scores injured following a rally to commemorate the death of Yasser Arafat. The violence occurred as the rally began to disperse. Eyewitnesses said Fatah supporters began taunting the Hamas-affiliated police force who then opened fire on the crowd.
The leader of the de facto government in Gaza demanded the release of all those arrested after the shootings except those thought to have been responsible for inciting violence.
Hs said his government will "adhere to its duties towards the victims" of the rally.
"Despite the facilitations which the government made, Hamas was not invited to attend the celebration. Furthermore the speakers at the rally attacked Hamas and the government and after the memorial ended peacefully, the sudden turn of events to bloodhshed surprised everyone," Haniyeh said.
Haniyeh called for the formation of a committee to hold a national dialogue to deal with the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as foreign affairs. He also demanded the release of all Hamas members detained by Palestinian security in the West Bank.
| He never shuts up, does he? |