In a statement, Abdullah Abu Samhdana, a senior Fatah leader based in Gaza, said: “No one can banish the Fatah movement from history because it has been written by the blood of martyrs. How come Hamas, which wants us to be united with it to confront the Israeli aggression, considers the Fatah movement illegal and prevents its supporters and leaders from commemorating the anniversary?” he said. On Thursday, Faisal Abu Shahla, a Fatah lawmaker, told reporters that the Hamas government had conveyed through mediators its refusal to allow Fatah to celebrate the anniversary. He said Hamas considered Fatah a prohibited organization in Gaza.