The arrests have sparked a fierce free-speech row that has drawn in a former Gaza-based contractor with human rights group Amnesty International who had criticised the activists online. Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by Israel and most Western states, seized control of Gaza in 2007 near civil war. Khoudary tagged several Hamas officials in the online post, ensuring Aman’s Zoom call would come to their attention. Khoudary herself was detained by Hamas last year for posts supporting Gaza street protests. The debate has flared on social networks, with some Palestinians condemning the latest arrests and others congratulating Khoudary for working against normalisation.

Source: The Express Tribune April 14, 2020 10:52 UTC