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Palestinians walk next to burning tires placed in protest on a road during a demonstration by security force officers demanding their salaries from the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority in the streets of Gaza City, Saturday. (AP)
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| By Associated Press October 1, 2006 |
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| Palestinians drive in a United Nations vehicle past burning tires placed in protest on a road during a demonstration by security force officers in Gaza, Saturday. (AP) |
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Police protesting unpaid salaries clashed on Sunday with Hamas militiamen deployed to prevent such protests, and two bystanders were moderately wounded in the ensuing gunfire.
The police are loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate whose Fatah Party lost power to Hamas earlier this year. Since it was installed in March, the Hamas government hasn't been able to pay salaries to police and other civil servants who provide for one-third of the population, because of international sanctions meant to force it to recognize Israel and stop attacking it.
On Saturday, the government ordered all 3,000 Hamas militiamen deployed across Gaza to prevent wage-related protests, which have multiplied as the poverty deepens.
Dozens of armed men from both sides faced off in Sunday's clash.
According to a policeman who participated, protesters were gathered peacefully outside the Bank of Palestine branch in Khan Younis when Hamas militiamen ordered them to leave the area. He said Hamas militiamen opened fire at the protesters, who responded by shooting in the air. Two civilian passersby were wounded.
Hamas confirmed its troops were deployed to prevent protests, and instructed to use force if necessary. It said it would release an official statement on the clash later.
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