The Islamic Palestinian Movement Hamas followed up with deep concerns the protests, which took place in the central square in Gaza and regretfully were dispersed. Immediately, after the incidents took place, Hamas carried out an initial investigation and found the following:   

First: This was not the first activity carried out by the organisers in Gaza that went on quietly. Hamas confirms that the demands of this protest are just as they match the demands of the Palestinian people and the positions of the Islamic Movement.   

Second: The organisers of this event announced a public invitation; thus, different sectors of the Palestinians participated and chanted various and contradictory slogans. This caused a tension and resulted in skirmishes among the participants.

Third: A number of Hamas' ex-detainees, including Mahmoud Mardawi and Tawfik abu Naim took part in the event and they invited to deliver speeches, but some of the participants prevented them so they were obliged to leave.  

After all, Hamas stresses that what happened today was regrettable, as well as it stresses that was not planned by any national party, but as a resulted of the dominant tension in the Gaza Strip and the differences among the views of the participants. Hamas rejects and condemns this and stresses on exerting all efforts to prevent any such skirmishes in the futures.

At the same time, Hamas stresses that its decision along with the other Palestinian factions regarding the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege is absolutely right as it is the best way to release the internal fury among the besieged population towards the Zionist enemy which imposes the blockade and kills children and Women.

The Islamic Palestinian Movement Hamas