U.N. official condemns Hamas crackdown on Gaza protests

Cellular phone videos posted on social media showed Hamas security forces beating protesters with clubs, and gunshots could be heard. Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N. special coordinator for Middle East peace, said in a statement that "the long-suffering people Gaza" have a right to protest at "the dire economic situation" without fear of reprisal. "I strongly condemn the campaign of arrests and violence used by Hamas security forces against protesters, including women and children, in Gaza over the past three days," he said.