Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip have been instructed to uphold standards of manliness, Interior Minister Fathi Hammad said Tuesday.Hammad is referring to Hamas' practice since last year of arresting young men with "Western" pants and haircut styles that offend the Islamists.
Security services in Gaza should "keep an eye on those involved in reducing standards of manliness," Hammad said during a graduation speech for security officers, without providing further details.
The Interior Ministry and its security officials "have their own methods which will be used very openly," he added.
I wonder if the people who are attending the PalFest literature festival in Gaza next week are nervous. This doesn't sound very "manly" to me:
Palestine Festival of Literature will host a cultural evening in one of Gaza's oldest houses. The evening will be a blend of music, Oud playing, Dabkah, in addition to poetry and prose readings by PalFest's guests and talented young writers.
In fact, last year Hamas did disrupt that same festival, forcing it to move to Cairo.
(h/t Adam L)