Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered in Gaza yesterday to commemorate the death of veteran leader Yasser Arafat in the first such memorial in the Hamas-run territory since 2007.
The anniversary event was billed as a show of national unity after Hamas struck a reconciliation agreement last month with the rival Fatah movement founded and led by Arafat until his death in 2004.
The deal, which is supposed to see Hamas cede civil control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority led by current Fatah leader Mahmud Abbas by December 1, could end years of bitter division between the rival factions.
Tens of thousands of people from across the Gaza Strip poured into Saraya Square in Gaza City from early morning, hours before the keynote speeches were due to be delivered.
Organisers said more than 100,000 people were in attendance.
Participants waved Palestinian flags and placards calling for unity, as well as pictures of both Arafat and Abbas.
In a pre-recorded speech broadcast on large screens, Abbas, who has not visited Gaza since his allies were thrown out by Hamas in 2007, hailed his predecessor’s legacy.
“Our Palestinian people, who have always loved you as a great leader, still have that love, respect and loyalty.”
Abbas said the Palestinians were pushing ahead to seal reconciliation and to achieve Arafat’s “dream for freedom, sovereignty and independence on our Palestinian national soil”.
“There is no state in Gaza and there is no state without Gaza,” he said, stressing that the Palestinian people were “united” and “refuse divisions”.
Fatah supporters take part in a rally marking the death anniversary of Yasser Arafat in Gaza City yesterday.
