By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian security forces arrested eight Hamas members in West Bank last night, the Islamic movement said Tuesday in a statement.
The Hamas members were arrested after the security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah movement sent them summons ordering them to visit the nearest security center, said the statement.
The detention was part of the power struggle between the two rival movements since Hamas last June took over the Gaza Strip by force, creating fears among the pro-Abbas security of another possible takeover in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops arrested 17 Palestinians during pre-dawn raids in different West Bank cities on Tuesday, said Israeli sources.
The Palestinians were taken because they were wanted by Israel, said the sources, adding the Israeli soldiers also found a pistol and ammunition inside one of the detainees’ house in Hebron.