The security forces of Hamas dispersed a demonstration against the Syrian leadership on Tuesday, meanwhile, attacked journalists in another incident in the Gaza Strip, witnesses said.
The demonstration was organized by the Islamic Hizb al-Tahrir ( Liberation Party), in Gaza City, in solidarity with the Syrian people, which came at a time when sources say the Syrian authorities pressed on Hamas leaders in Damascus to declare support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Hamas, which took over Gaza by force in 2007, has its exiled leadership and politburo based in Damascus.
Hassan Al-Madhoun, spokesman for the Liberation Party said Hamas arrested dozens of protesters, while, Hamas has not responded to the remarks.
In another incident, a journalist said he and his colleagues were harassed and beaten by the Hamas policemen when they were trying to cover a concert by Argentinean-Israeli musician Daniel Barenboim.
Organizers of the concert, including UN organizations, prevented some journalists from entering because they had not registered in advance.
“We were beaten and our clothes were torn when we protested outside the hall,” said Zakaria al-Talmas, a producer for German’s ARD television.