Hamas criticises Fatah for circulating 'rumours'

The Islamic Palestinian movement of Hamas has denied rumours suggesting that security authorities prevented their leading member, Mahmoud al-Zahar from travelling to the Iranian capital of Tehran through Egypt. Hamas accused media channels related to Fatah of launching "false campaigns" stressing that such acts "undermine the credibility of the Islamic movement." A Fatah news website reported that al-Zahar was due to travel to Tehran with a delegation of 22 people to congratulate the new Iranian President Hassan Rowhany, but was prevented from leaving the Gaza Strip by security. In a statement, Hamas said that the Palestinian Authority works to "distract attention from crimes committed by security in the West Bank" and "serve the interests of Israeli occupation and enemies of Palestinian people." The statement stressed that Hamas is a "unified movement" and its battle is "only against the Israeli occupation."