Hamas forces cancellation of Arafat memorial ceremony in Gaza Strip
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A billboard with a picture of the former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is seen with Arabic writing that reads, "My dream will not be complete without Al-Quds," in Gaza City, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014. The Hamas militant group on Sunday forced the cancellation of a memorial ceremony that was to have marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, underscoring the lingering tensions with the rival Fatah movement despite the formation of a unity government meant to end years of hostilities. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (The Associated Press)
The Hamas militant group has forced the cancellation of a memorial ceremony in the Gaza Strip that was to have marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Sunday's decision illustrated continuing tensions between Hamas and Arafat's Fatah movement — despite the formation of a unity government that was meant to end years of hostilities between the rival factions.
In an announcement, the Interior Ministry, which is still dominated by Hamas, said it had informed Fatah it could not provide security for the rally.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The rally would have been the first time Fatah has marked the anniversary since 2007 — the year that Hamas seized control of Gaza. At that previous rally, just months after the Hamas takeover, 10 people were killed in clashes that erupted.