Hundreds of supporters of the Fatah movement gathered in al-Katiba square in Gaza City Tuesday despite the movement's decision to cancel the official festival commemorating the 10th anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, locals said.
Palestinians carried pictures of the iconic Palestinian leader, waved Fatah flags, and chanted slogans celebrating Arafat's life.
Participant Mervat Abd al-Qader told Ma'an that the memory of Arafat's death is painful for Palestinians.
She said no one could prevent Palestinians from commemorating the death of the leader "who taught us that Palestinians are the decision makers."
Fatah announced Sunday that the official anniversary ceremony would be canceled in the wake of bomb blasts on Friday that targeted Fatah members' homes, without causing injuries.
The ceremony would have been the first official commemoration of Arafat's death allowed in the Strip since Hamas took power in 2007.
Arafat died on Nov. 11, 2004 in France. The circumstances behind his death remain a mystery.
Palestinians carried pictures of the iconic Palestinian leader, waved Fatah flags, and chanted slogans celebrating Arafat's life.
Participant Mervat Abd al-Qader told Ma'an that the memory of Arafat's death is painful for Palestinians.
She said no one could prevent Palestinians from commemorating the death of the leader "who taught us that Palestinians are the decision makers."
Fatah announced Sunday that the official anniversary ceremony would be canceled in the wake of bomb blasts on Friday that targeted Fatah members' homes, without causing injuries.
The ceremony would have been the first official commemoration of Arafat's death allowed in the Strip since Hamas took power in 2007.
Arafat died on Nov. 11, 2004 in France. The circumstances behind his death remain a mystery.
Source: Ma'an News Agency
