Hamas burns 'confiscated' drugs

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The Palestinian movement Hamas has burnt a large pile of illegal drugs it says it confiscated in Gaza recently.

Hamas spokesman Ihab al-Ghussein said the drugs were worth about $4m (Â£1.97m), and had mostly been smuggled into Gaza through tunnels from Egypt.

He said Hamas forces had detained 115 drug dealers and closed 90% of the smugglers' tunnels.

Correspondents say it was Hamas' latest attempt to show it was imposing order after taking control in Gaza this year.

Hamas displayed tables full of marjiuana, hashish, cocaine and ecstasy at a news conference to show the results of its operations.

Mr Ghussein accused rivals Fatah of allowing a drug culture to flourish and collaborating with Israel to corrupt Gaza's youth.

"We will not show mercy to anybody involved in the death trade," he said.

Later, black-clad members of Gaza's security forces tossed the drugs onto a fire, sending plumes of smoke over Gaza City.