GAZA, April 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza city on Thursday to express their solidarity with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

    The demonstrators, including Palestinian students and representatives of the different Palestinian factions and movements, attended the massive rally organized on what was announced to be the "solidarity day with Arafat."

    The marchers held Palestinian flags and pictures of Arafat, who has been besieged by Israel in his battered headquarters in Ramallah since March 2002, and chanted slogans to show their support for Arafat.

    The armed wings of Palestinian factions also participated in the marches.

    Dozens of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' militants paraded ahead of the marches, holding weapons and firing bullets in the air to warn Israelis against harming their leader.

    Later the marchers gathered at the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) premise in the heart of the city, where some representatives from the Palestinian National Authority and different factions were due to deliver speeches.

    The fate of the Palestinian leader was deemed in crisis when Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon announced earlier this week that he is no longer committed to a pledge made to the US administration aboutnot harming Arafat. Enditem