Hamas launches ‘virtue campaign’ in Gaza

The campaign was started despite previous promises not to impose an Islamic way of life on the strip’s 1.5 million people.

Hamas have been patrolling the beach asking men to cover up bear chests and separating groups of single people congregating together.

The Religious Affairs Ministry is in charge of overseeing the campaign. Among its reported regulations is a request that men and women celebrate separately at wedding parties.

Abdullah Abu Jarbou, the deputy religious affairs minister, said: “We have to encourage people to be virtuous and keep them away from sin.”

Officials say the campaign’s guidelines are currently voluntary but Abu Jarbou, the deputy minister predicted that Islamic law would eventually be imposed.