RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The rival Palestinian governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are increasingly violating human rights in their territories in a quest for control, a human rights group said Tuesday.

The Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights said it received more than 2,000 complaints about human rights violations in 2007, or double the number from the previous year. Two-thirds of the complaints came from the West Bank, commission officials told reporters.

The head of the group, Mamdouh al-Aker, said both Palestinian governments are increasingly arresting people on political grounds, raiding homes without warrants, mistreating detainees and restricting freedom of expression.

Al-Aker spoke at a news conference where the group presented highlights from its 2007 report. It said the full text would be released at a later date.

The Islamic militant movement Hamas seized control of Gaza by force last June, and in response Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas moved his moderate government to the West Bank.

More than 1,000 Palestinians were detained on political grounds in 2007 as part of the escalating power struggle, the rights group said.

Al-Aker said he met with Abbas and expressed concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in both territories. He said both governments have prevented some public gatherings and used excessive force to break up rallies and demonstrations.

The West Bank government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said it would study the report. "The government respects human rights and will consider every point in this report, and correct any wrongdoing," said a Fayyad spokesman, Jamal Zakout.

In Gaza, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum denied the group violates people's rights. "The Palestinian Authority (in the West Bank) systematically violates human rights," he said, insisting that Hamas tolerates criticism and permits freedom of expression in Gaza.

Human rights groups have often complained about practices of the Hamas government in Gaza.

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