GAZA, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Security members of Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement dispersed on Monday a sit-in protest in Gaza City demanding an end to an 11-year internal political division.

Witnesses said members of Hamas security in plain clothes attacked protesters and dispersed them by force.

In a statement, Osama al-Qawasmi, spokesman for Palestinian Fatah party, blamed Hamas for attacking the sit-in which called for ending the political rift between his party and Hamas.

In 2007, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip from the national unity government after forcing out Fatah, which now rules the West Bank under the authority of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Repeated reconciliation attempts, mostly led by Egypt, have failed to bring the two parties together.

"The sit-in calling for unity and ending the split has hurt and annoyed Hamas," Qawasmi said.

The spokesman reiterated that unity is the shortest way "which brings the Palestinians closer to freedom and independence."

The left-wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine also condemned the dispersal of the sit-in, which was demanded by Palestinian prisoners and ex-prisoners in Israeli jails.

However, Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza denied reports that its members attacked the rally, adding that it has done everything possible to secure the event.