BICOM

A grassroots activist movement has been launched in Gaza to oppose Hamas, taking the lead from the Tamarod grassroots movement that led the campaign to oust president Mohamed Morsi in Egypt. A Palestinian group announced on Monday it has been carrying out a series of anti-Hamas activities since November. The Palestinian Tamarod stated the movement was made up of youths “of all colours and affiliations.”

According to the Jerusalem Post the group addressed Hamas on their launch date saying, “We won’t ask you to leave because you are part of us. But you won’t rule after November 11 even if you finish us off. All our options are open, except for using weapons. We are different from you. Unlike you, we don’t use weapons against our brothers. Unlike you, we don’t kill children, the elderly, women and youths. Unlike you, we don’t destroy mosques. We will face you with bare chests.”

Hamas officials however accused the rival Fatah group of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of being behind the video, and two Palestinians were reportedly arrested for of plotting to overthrow the Hamas government.

Hamas authorities have taken a number of preventative steps to prevent any attempt to copy the movement against Morsi in Gaza.

These measures include imposing travel bans on Fatah leaders in the Gaza Strip, including Zakariya al-Agha, who was prevented from leaving Gaza earlier this week.

Tensions have risen between Hamas and Fatah since Morsi’s removal. Fatah have come out in support of his removal whilst Hamas, whose roots lie in the Muslim Brotherhood, condemned the military for removing the ‘democratically elected president’.