GAZA CITY, March 15 (JMCC) - A youth-led demonstration for political unity in
Gaza City descended into violence Tuesday afternoon after
Hamas supporters tried to edge out the initial group.
At least three demonstrators were injured in stone-throwing clashes,
said JMCC.org's correspondent.
The rally began peacefully in the Square of the Unknown Soldier with several thousand demonstrators calling for an end to political division and waving Palestinian flags.
Soon they were joined, however, by a group of protesters carrying green flags representing the Islamist group Hamas. Trying to avoid a confrontation, the unity protesters began marching to another square in Gaza City.
The clashes began when Hamas supporters followed them to Khatib Square.
By four in the afternoon, calm had been restored and some 1,000 unity demonstrators remained in the area.
Hamas authorities had promised not to interfere with the demonstrators, despite arresting some of the organizers in the lead-up to the protests.