In the morning people gathered at Square of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City, main square and boulevard. Thousands were there... then a crowd of Hamas people turned up - they had already set up a stage with loudspeakers so they were 'in charge'. So youth movement decided to leave the place and go to Kateeba Square, the traditional grounds where mass rallies have been held. Thousands left for Kateeba - marching peacefully and setting up tents there.
I climbed on a vantage point - an abandoned building overlooking the entire square, until Hamas police turned up telling everyone to leave. Nothing violent yet - just made to leave... demos continued on the ground, peacefully, lots of young people chanting and dancing for unity. Met some friends who looked shocked but barely spoke - one was in tears and told me she was beaten and asked to cover her hair by Hamas. Another one couldn't walk and was being helped to a clinic - though I didn't witness the violence itself.
Back home, friends called me telling me police had intervened, fired warning shots in the air. Told them I was on my way back but they strongly urged me not to - all cameras were confiscated, journalists arrested and activists beaten up. My friend Adham said "Al Kateeba is on fire" ... thuoght he was being metaphorical but then another one called to say Hamas had set the tents on fire...
Earlier footage I shot from Al Kateeba:
Journey to Gaza
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