Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization arrested four human rights workers over the weekend, plus journalists and dozens of Fatah members.
Two researchers from the Al-Mezan human rights group, one from the Al-Dameer organization and one from the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) were arrested and held for several hours before they were finally released.
Journalists were also arrested by Hamas during the protests.
Videos that were posted on the internet also showed Hamas security forces raiding homes, attacking protesters with clubs and firing into the air, the Hebrew-language Ynet news site reported.
The unrest comes in response to recent tax hikes as Gaza residents took to the streets in the enclave on Saturday to protest the high cost of living for a third day in a row.
At least 80 members of the Palestinian Authority’s leading Fatah faction were arrested by Hamas security forces during Saturday’s demonstration in Gaza.
Hundreds of Gazans protested Friday in the city of Deir al-Balah, in the central section of the enclave. Residents burned tiers and blocked main intersections in the city. Protests also erupted in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, but demonstrators were severely beaten by security forces, who also opened fire to disperse the crowd.