Hamas slams PA-Israeli coordination to block its 27th anniversary festival

Hamas Movement slammed in a statement issued Friday PA-Israeli coordination to block the festival of its 27th inception anniversary in al-Khalil.

The statement pointed out that preventing large numbers of people to participate in the festival, at the hands of PA and Israeli forces, caused outrage among the people especially after PA leaders’ recent statements about their intention to stop security cooperation with occupation.

Violent clashes broke out between Israeli occupation forces and Hamas’s supporters who were prevented from celebrating their Movement’s anniversary in the southern area of al-Khalil.

In their turn, PA forces threatened the Movement’s supporters with detention in case they participate in the festival.

IOF soldiers attacked the participants and destroyed their equipment which led to the outbreak of confrontations.

Several injuries were reported during the clashes, while others were arrested including al-Aqsa TV Channel reporter at makeshift checkpoints erected by PA forces throughout al-Khalil.

Hamas Movement hailed the massive participation in its 27th anniversary festival that challenged the PA forces’ threats and Israeli restrictions.

Hamas expressed pride at the Palestinian people’s massive participation that proves their support to the Movement despite PA and Israeli repressive policy against them.

Following Friday prayers, two large marches started from various mosques in al-Khalil and then gathered in one massive march in one large square set by the Movement to commemorate the festival of its 27th inception anniversary.

Head of the Movement’s political bureau Khaled Mishaal was expected to give a speech during the festival.