The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza canceled its session
on Monday after clashes between angry public sector employees and
guards of the Palestinian Prime Minster Ismail Haniyya.
Earlier, hundreds of angry government employees gathered in front of the PLC building in Gaza City this morning demanding their salaries, which have been delayed for seven consecutive months.
When Haniyya arrived to the building, the protesters stood at the three gates of the PLC building and barred him from entering the PLC building until his guards along with Palestinian security forces fired several rounds of live ammunition in the air to disperse them, two were injured.
Haniyya managed to enter the building after facing difficulties while the employees demonstrating outside attempted to prevent him from leaving the PLC.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the two people were injured as they were run over by the convoy of PM Haniyya while leaving the PLC building.
The session was canceled after Fateh members in PLC condemned what happened and called it "gangs' acts" and decided to leave. The two injured protesters were identified as Saber Abu Al Laban and Jihan Al Sarsawi.
Updated from:
Protesters attempt to bar Haniyya from entering the Legislative Council building
Saed Bannoura – IMEMC & Agencies, 14:03
Hundreds of protesters, mainly unpaid employees, gathered in front of
the building of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza, and
attempted to bar the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya, from
the ruling Hamas party, from entering the building to deliver a speech
there.
Palestinian security sources reported that tension was high around the building and that rounds of live ammunition were heard in the area especially after the guards of Haniyya scuffled with dozens of protesters.
Haniyya is expected to deliver a speech on Monday on the latest developments in the area.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmad Bahar, first deputy of the Legislative Council, stated that Haniyya was invited by the council to deliver a speech in front of its members.
Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, was also invited but apologized since he had previous arrangements for a visit to the United States.
Monday's PLC session was described as urgent, it will discuss the current situation and crises in the Palestinian territories.
Meanwhile, government employees continued their strike demanding to receive their salaries since they haven't been paid full salaries since several months as a result of the international blockade and sanctions imposed on the Hamas-led Palestinian Government.
