Palestinians Arrest 100 Hamas Members in W.Bank
Palestinian forces have arrested around 100 Hamas members in the West Bank, a security official said Friday, raising tension between the Islamist movement and its Ramallah-based rivals.
The people, arrested overnight, "intended to carry out attacks against the Palestinian Authority (PA)," the official said, without elaborating.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the arrests as a "dangerous escalation which blocks efforts and reconciliation."
He also criticized the PA for its "security cooperation with the Israeli occupation."
Under 1993 peace accords, the PA coordinates on West Bank security with Israel, including by sharing intelligence.
The PA is dominated by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party, which is Hamas's bitter rival. It regularly arrests members of the movement, but as many as 100 members in one swoop is rare.
In June 2014, Israel detained hundreds of Hamas members in the West Bank after blaming the group for the kidnap and murder of three Israeli teenagers.
The latest arrests came amid tension between Hamas and the West Bank-based PA, more than a year after the two sides signed a unity deal that failed to end a years-long Palestinian split.
In April 2014 Fatah signed a unity deal with Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
The two sides approved a government of independent technocrats to take over administration of the Gaza Strip, Hamas's bastion, and the West Bank.
But disputes over the payment of Hamas-appointed employees in Gaza, and control of the territory, mean Hamas remains in control of the enclave.
Last summer's war between Israel and Hamas also set back any efforts at reconciliation.
over 9 years
"100,000 Gazan have so far perished in the Mediterranean trying to migrate to Europe"
Why not a say million, if you can eject figures from your rear?
over 9 years
even "tens of thousands" is a very highly exaggerated figure, that would mean hundreds of ships sinking without being reported, hardly believable.
and no, mass emigration of Palestinians is certainly not what we wish for Palestinians and you know it very well. you're just being of absolute bad faith. what we want for Palestinians is to be able to live freely and in dignity in their land, not under occupation colonization and siege, and without arbitrary arrests, torture and executions. This is happening all over Palestine, not just in Gaza. Look at the West Bank and how fast it is shrinking due to colon cancer. How long till there is no place left for Palestinians and they are thrown out, possibly landing in Lebanon?
over 9 years
you have a very subjective definition of what is not contested. maybe not contested in your head but that is all.
over 9 years
Indeed you dont care what people say, you decide for them what they think, more convenient isn't it?
And yes, those figures you invented are directly caused by hamas, while no palestinian ever before was forced to flee his homeland, and nowhere else than in Gaza do we see Palestinians suffering. Buzz off you deluded simpleton, you've expended the quota of time i'm willing to waste on you today.
over 9 years
The misery in Gaza is not caused by Hamas, but by israel. Stop being such a hypocrite.
over 9 years
With all of mowatens venomous attacks on anything that might place Israel in a not too bad light, the Palestinians under the control of the PA in the West Bank still have a higher standard of living than their moslem "brothers" in places like Syria, Iraq and Libya. This is the only reason that Hamas wants to take control of the West Bank, they just can't stand the fact that international recognition and assistance is reaching there and the people live a relatively peaceful and prosperous life, but in Gaza the population under their control is living in absolute poverty.
over 9 years
You should step out of your kibbutz for a minute and go see how Palestinians in the west bank live before saying such stupidities.
over 9 years
And again, the only cause for misery in Gaza is the israeli siege and the regular massacres they conduct there.
over 9 years
mowaten - as usual you spout a load of nonsense.
Forget about me, have you ever tried to find out exactly how the Palestinians in the West Bank live? You are probably so indoctinated seeing photos of the villages say around 30-40 years ago and being told that that is the situation today. Maybe it is like that in Ein Al-Hilwah, but not in Baqa al-Sharkiya. It is a pity you can't see the new villas being built everywhere by the "poor" local population, it is a pity that you can't see the whole new town of Rawabi, it's a pity that simply you can't open your eyes.
I have seen how the Palestinians in the West Bank live, it's you who hasn't, but believe all the propaganda spread by you Hizb friends.
over 9 years
who are you trying to fool with your lies philipo?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-njv7RJqtRM
https://storify.com/occpal/settlers-kill-and-wound-by-hit-and-run-attacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn0pwyh2YUQ
http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/after-cast-lead/by-date-of-death/westbank/palestinians-killed-by-israeli-security-forces
over 9 years
The way you describe it the west bank sounds like an utopia. Have you applied for residency yet? I just hope no palestinian from the west bank reads you, because the way you ignore and belittle their plight like it was nothing would certainly be as hurtful as the israeli arrogance.
over 9 years
The PA believes it can win over the Palestinians by providing stability and improved economic conditions and contrast that to like in Gaza, which is in constant conflict with both Israel and Egypt. The PA does not want Hamas to import to the WB the instability and destruction that Hams has brought to Gaza. Seems like a reasonable political approach to me.
over 9 years
Does losing elections but clinging to power seem like a reasonable approach to you as well? Fatah and Israel ganged up on Hamas after it democratically won the elections, and the siege on Gaza is a way of punishing the people and denying them self-determination.
Also, what stability and improved economic conditions? Have you taken a look at the west bank lately?
Hamas is islamic, but it is not takfiri ya bum. Get an education. And bigjohn is right, Fatah being more secular does not excuse being traitors.