On July 2, Hizb, not known to have formal ties to Al Qaida, held a
commemoration throughout the West Bank. PCHR said Palestinian security
forces used live fire, tear gas and truncheons to disperse Hizb
demonstrations in such cities as Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah and Tulkarm. About
200 Hizb activists were said to have been arrested.
In Hebron, PA police and security forces injured about 20 Hizb
supporters. PCHR said the PA deployed the police, supported by the National
Security Forces, surrounded the Hizb activists and
dispersed a march from a Hebron mosque toward the city square.
"Without prior warning, they dispersed the peaceful demonstration by
firing tear gas canisters directly at the demonstrators," PCHR said. "They
also chased the demonstrators through the streets and beat some of them.
Some of the demonstrators scuffled with the police members, which resulted
in dozens of arrests."
PA security forces also cited a Hizb demonstration in the northern city
of Nablus. PCHR said PA plainclothes officers attacked the marchers
while two officers opened fire toward the demonstrators. At least six people
were reported injured.
Hizb demonstrators were also beaten and shot at the entrance of
Ramallah. At least 170 Hizb members who entered the city were arrested.
"PCHR stresses that civilians have the legal right to organize public
assemblies and to organize peaceful demonstrations in accordance with the
law," the Palestinian center said.