FACTBOX-How has Gaza changed since Hamas seized control?
Source: Reuters
Aug 3 (Reuters) - Hamas Islamists overran a Gaza City district controlled by a Fatah-aligned clan at the weekend to tighten their grip on the enclave they seized over a year ago and search for bombers who killed five Hamas gunmen last month. The factional fighting on Saturday, in which nine people were killed and 95 wounded, was the bloodiest since Hamas routed its Fatah rivals in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. After that takeover, Hamas clamped security on the streets, where more conservative social trends have emerged. But the Gaza Strip's economy has been crippled by an Israeli-led blockade that has eased slightly under an Egyptian-brokered truce. Here are some key ways in which life has changed for Palestinians living in the coastal territory under Hamas rule. - The majority of Gaza's 3,900 factories shut down after Israel tightened its blockade a year ago, barring most industrial materials. Palestinian officials estimate that 100,000 people have lost their jobs since June 2007. The blockade has eased somewhat under the truce, which took effect on June 19. - Food is still plentiful but basic household goods are in short supply. A basic refrigerator has doubled in price and a bottle of cooking gas costs up to 65 Israeli shekels ($20 compared to 43 -- not least because many people have adapted cars to run on it. - Most construction projects, including some funded by the United Nations, were stopped due to building material shortages. Though Israel has started to allow construction materials into Gaza, they remain in small quantities. - Hamas has expanded its pre-takeover security force of 3,000 to 13,000 men split between five branches, although that may include members of Hamas's armed wing fighting Israel. The armed wing, Izz el-Deen al-Qassam, says it numbers over 25,000. - Human rights groups say Hamas security forces have made political arrests and cited cases of torture in jails. Hamas has rejected the allegations or said such cases are isolated. - While Hamas denies it is trying to impose Islamic law in Gaza, more men wear beards and more women cover their heads. Some critics say Hamas is not Islamist enough and analysts say small al Qaeda-allied groups have been expanding and targeting the small Christian minority. (For main story click on [nL381349]) (For factbox on Gaza click on [nL373171]) (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Alistair Lyon)
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