PLO calls on Hamas to stop "brutal" suppression of protests in Gaza

RAMALLAH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Tuesday called on Hamas to immediately stop its "brutal" suppression of the popular protests in the Gaza Strip and implement reconciliation agreements.

In a press statement, the PLO said the youths in Gaza "have fair and right demands to cancel high taxes illegally collected."

"Attacking peaceful demonstrators brutally and using electric clubs, opening live ammunition ... raiding homes and detaining journalists are all seriously disgusting," the statement added.

Over the past few days, protests were organized in the Gaza Strip against the deterioration of the living situation in the coastal enclave that Hamas has been ruling since 2007.

However, Hamas accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party of being behind the protests.

The photos and videos published by social media activists show Hamas police dispersing demonstrators in the streets in various towns in Gaza.