JERUSALEM (JTA) — Thousands of Palestinians rallied for unity in Ramallah and Gaza City.
The rallies on Tuesday were organized on Facebook by young Palestinian activists who are calling for an end to the division between Fatah, which governs the West Bank, and Hamas, which ousted Fatah and took over Gaza in 2007.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians reportedly gathered in Gaza City’s Square of the Unknown Soldier. Rallies in Gaza City reportedly began on Monday out of fear the Tuesday rallies would be quashed by Hamas.
The Palestinian Maan news agency reported Tuesday that Hamas police detained six protesters; some 12 protesters have been detained in Gaza City since Sunday, according to Maan. The protesters were released after being required to sign a pledge that they would not participate in rallies in the future without police permission, according to Maan.
The rival factions have tried repeatedly to negotiate a reconciliation.
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