Violence erupted after the government in Gaza banned celebrations to mark the 1 January anniversary of the establishment of the Fatah movement, in what appears to have been a response to the ban imposed by the government in Ramallah on Hamas marking the 14 December anniversary of the establishment of Hamas in the West Bank. In the lead up to the Fatah anniversary, police and Hamas gunmen in Gaza launched a campaign of arrests of Fatah activists and searched Fatah offices and the homes of people affiliated with Fatah. In addition, they removed Fatah banners from rooftops and public areas.

At approximately 8:00am on 31 December, Ibrahim Mohammad Abu Delakh, age 78, was killed when members of Hamas attacked his house in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Four other people, including Abu Delakh's wife, were injured in the attack. A few minutes prior to the incident, police had arrived at the house, demanding Abu Delakh remove Fatah flags from the roof top. The police beat the residents with sticks.

During 31 December, Fatah leader Ibrahim Abu al-Naja was assaulted and humiliated by unidentified gunmen, who shaved his head and mustache before releasing him.

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