GAZA CITY: Thousands of supporters of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah movement, which rivals Gaza’s rulers Hamas, held a rare gathering in the enclave on Wednesday to mark the party’s 55th anniversary.

Waving yellow Fatah flags, supporters from across the territory gathered in Gaza City to celebrate the movement founded by the late Yasser Arafat.

Some held photographs of the two former and current political leaders.

West Bank-based Fatah cancelled its anniversary event last year after dozens of its supporters were arrested by Hamas authorities.

The interior ministry in Gaza granted permission for Wednesday’s rally to go ahead, according to a Hamas leader.

“We consented to holding these festivities on Al-Wehda Street for Fatah to champion the unity of the Palestinian people,” he told AFP, requesting anonymity.

“It’s a referendum on the public support for Fatah and the leadership of Abu Mazen,” he added, using a common nickname for Abbas.—AFP