Hamas has arrested "at least one" male hairdresser for cutting women's hair in the Gaza Strip this week, according to the BBC.

The terrorist organisation, in control of Gaza since 2007, introduced a legal ban on women using male hairdressers in March 2010. They said it was necessary because Islamic tradition stipulated a woman should not reveal their hair to men they were not related to.

Hamas has claimed to be moderate but in recent years has brought in prohibitions on female motorcyclists and been accused of limiting the activities of journalists.

The BBC reported that Gazan hairdressers now feared they were being monitored by undercover officials.