After taking control of Gaza by force in June, Hamas had promised amnesty to Fatah loyalists and it was not immediately clear whether the arrests late Friday and early Saturday signalled the start a crackdown on Fatah or were isolated incidents.

In the northern town of Beit Hanoun, 15 Fatah supporters were arrested after Hamas security men broke up a wedding of Fatah loyalists on Friday.

The Hamas force policing Gaza said it stopped the celebration because guests shot in the air, disturbing the peace, and confirmed four arrests. Fatah activists denied anyone had fired in the air.

Wedding footage filmed by a cameraman from the local Ramattan news agency showed guests singing Fatah songs in praise of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his predecessor, the late Yasser Arafat.