Gazan protesters demand Salafist prisoners release

The families of Salafist activists arrested by Hamas security agencies in Rafah, southern Gaza, have carried out a demonstration demanding their release. Around thirty women and children in the Shaboura neighbourhood, central Rafah, urged Hamas to release the detained individuals. Hamas security officials surrounded the gathering, which was later dispersed without clashes. The protesters raised placards carrying messages such as "Release our children," and "Where are human rights organisations?" Last week, Salafist sources claimed Hamas security forces had arrested Salafist activists, accusing of them belonging to the Mujahideen Shura Council in Maqdes, and firing rockets into Israel. Gaza's Interior Ministry denied that the arrests had been made as a result of "resisting  the occupation."