Hamas Police Disperse Demo by Salafist Mothers

Hamas police on Saturday dispersed a protest in the Gaza town of Rafah by Salafist women to demand the release of members of the hardline Islamist movement, an Agence France Presse correspondent said.

Witnesses said the women, who numbered around 30, were veiled and accompanied by children, carried a banner which read: "Where are human rights organizations when our children are arrested?"

Police dispersed the demonstration without incident.

According to sources close to the Salafists, Hamas which rules the Gaza Strip has arrested several members of the movement following rocket attacks on Israel. The interior ministry denies any arrests for "resistance against the occupation."