By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian security sources said on Thursday 29 people were arrested in West Bank cities for taking part in demonstrations against the U.S.-hosted peace conference in Annapolis.
Islamic Hamas movement said most of the detainees were its members, describing the detentions as the biggest campaign against the movement since the security services, loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, launched a crackdown against Hamas in June.
The security sources said the 29 were arrested “because they did not abide by law and order and because they tried to disrupt security by taking part in unauthorized demonstrations.”
Hamas said the detentions were focused in Hebron city where a Palestinian man was killed on Tuesday when the security services dispersed with force a peaceful rally against the Annapolis conference.
Some local observers say Hamas has been trying to exploit a prevailing public disapproval of the conference in its power struggle against Abbas. In June, Hamas has routed pro-Abbas security forces in Gaza and took control of the coastal strip.