Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 09, 2008 Shvat 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 05:29 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

IDF soldier blindfolding Palestinian detainee after operation in Gaza on Sunday. (AP) Last update - 11:40 07/01/2008 Shin Bet: PA has arrested 250 Hamas men over past month By Avi Issacharoff and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Israel, Hamas, Shin Bet, PA Palestinian security forces have arrested more than 250 Hamas operatives in the West Bank over the past month, according to a report by the Shin Bet security service. The report suggests a crackdown by Fatah-affiliated security services on the Islamist organization's infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. Most detainees are from Nablus, where the Palestinian security forces enjoy partial control. Additionally, Hebron - which is considered a Hamas stronghold - has seen increased activity on the part of security forces, according to the report. The report, titled "Tracking the Performance of Palestinian Security Forces," is updated weekly and submitted to decision-makers, among other recipients. It lists all known arrests by Palestinian security forces, as well as raids to seize illegal weapons and thwarted terrorist attacks. Advertisement Some of the detainees that the security forces had seized between November 29 and January 2 belonged to non-military organizations within Hamas, including charities. On the last week of December, the PA arrested 50 Hamas men, 25 of whom were caught in Nablus. Fifteen were nabbed in Hebron, and the rest were rounded up in Qalqilyah, Ramallah, Jenin and Tul Karm. "We are seeing an effort on the part of the Palestinians to tighten their grip on the street, and this is having practical results," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said during Sunday's cabinet meeting. "Israel will continue to act where the terrorist organizations are acting," he added. A source from the government in Jerusalem said the data show that when it comes to fighting Hamas, the Palestinian security forces under Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad are acting with determination. The official went on to say that the Israel Defense Forces operation in Nablus was received with disappointment in the Palestinian Authority, in light of the security forces' efforts to diminish Hamas' clout there. "The Palestinians said the operation ruined everything," the official said. Last week, officials from the Palestinian Authority in Nablus told Haaretz they had arrested dozens of Hamas operatives. The officials added almost all of the prisoners had been released, in accordance with the PA's policy of releasing anyone who surrenders his or her weapons. The raids by PA security forces resulted in the confiscation of 120 rifles and guns. Some of the guns were smuggled into the West Bank from Jordan or Egypt. Hamas is accusing the Palestinian Authority of political persecution of the organization's men and institutions. In a statement by Hamas, the organization's spokesperson described the crackdown as a harsh blow to the efforts of the Arab world to negotiate a power-sharing agreement between Hamas and Fatah. The statement accuses the Palestinian Authority of launching a campaign of political arrests which extends to academics and teachers, in a bid to please U.S. President George W. Bush, who will be arriving in Israel on Wednesday, and is scheduled to visit the Palestinian Authority. Related articles: PA forces loyal to Abbas detain two Hamas leaders in Ramallah Fatah marks its anniversary in Bethlehem with show of force PA detains, hands over two Israelis who entered Bethlehem to fix car Bookmark to del.icio.us   Oh Hillary Clinton throws everything but the kitchen sink at New Hampshire. Jewel of the Crown Diamond billionaire Lev Leviev buys most expensive property ever sold in Britain.   1.   PA has arrested 250 Hamas men 03:14  |  GPS 07/01/08   2.   Same old revolving door 03:56  |  * BEN JABO 07/01/08   3.   revolving door syndrome 04:02  |  alan 07/01/08   4.   Save them for future prisoner swap 04:52  |  Cristo 07/01/08   5.   Israel, let the PA security forces do their thing 07:00  |  Conroy 07/01/08   6.   How many of them were let out the back door the same day? 07:39  |  Marwan مروان خوري 07/01/08   7.   5 Conroy - Counterinsurgency 08:23  |  Mark of Lewiston 07/01/08   8.   #7, Mark of Lewiston 09:04  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 07/01/08   9.   Merely A Fig Leaf 09:36  |  Clickfool 07/01/08   10.   Did the Hamas men all recieve lolipops before they went home? 09:38  |  Mark Hamil 07/01/08   11.   Don`t "arrest" Hamas eliminate them! 09:46  |  Mark Hamil 07/01/08   12.   8 Cipora 09:52  |  Mark of Lewiston 07/01/08   13.   8 Cipora 10:02  |  Mark of Lewiston 07/01/08   14.   This number should be quadripled!!!!!!! 10:59  |  Ronny 07/01/08   15.   #9-10, Mark of Lewiston 11:28  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 07/01/08   16.   What`s the point of these arrests?? 11:58  |  Aaron 07/01/08   17.   Small deeds for small minds 13:13  |  Natallie Durson 07/01/08   18.   And the header picture is of ISRAELIS arresting ???????? 13:16  |  Joe Moer 07/01/08   19.   Clickfool`s Figleaf #9 13:28  |  Rupert 07/01/08   20.   Marwan, all who handed over their guns 13:51  |  Lynn 07/01/08   21.   Clickfool (second attempt) 14:50  |  Nik "Banned" Miller 07/01/08   22.   Clickfool (third attempt) 16:37  |  Nik "BANNED" Miller 07/01/08   23.   15 Cipora - I Agree 17:39  |  Mark of Lewiston 07/01/08   24.   16 Aaron - The Point of PA Arrests 17:51  |  Mark of Lewiston 07/01/08   25.   # 11 AMEN TO THAT!!! 15:17  |  Petra 08/01/08

Today Online U.S. Prof. Finkelstein meets top Hezbollah official in Lebanon Responses: 367 Lebanese PM vows probe into Katyusha fire at Israel Responses: 120 Israel botched chance to free abducted soldiers at start of war Responses: 69 High security for Bush visit will cost Israel $25,000 an hour Responses: 65 Israeli Arab leaders slam boycott of visiting Jewish donors Responses: 96 Rosner's Domain What does "change" mean for Israel? 2008 race: The marathon is far from over Rosner's Guest: Israel at present is not a light unto the nations Rosner's Mailbox: Anti-Semites within Ron Paul's camp "It is not enough to launch a peace process" (WTR) More Headlines 05:19 Bush set to arrive for landmark visit in Israel 02:54 Early warning system fails to spot Katyusha strike in North 22:59 Rice: U.S ready to help Egypt combat Gaza arms smuggling 04:43 McCain wins N.H. poll; Clinton leads Obama in early returns 03:31 Group asks AG Mazuz to halt J'lem Muslim Quarter excavation 02:26 PA security official: Al Aqsa Brigade has dismantled 22:08 Hamas: Barghouti among prisoners we want freed for Gilad Shalit 20:46 Leviev buys most expensive new British property for $70M 04:20 Police's biggest concern for Bush visit: Disturbances by extremists Previous Editions Select Day 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! AMERICANS CHOOSE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE U.S. citizen in Israel vote in Democrats-Abroad official global primary.

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved