By Xinhua
Ramallah : Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday considered detentions against its members in West Bank by Palestinian security forces as “an early strike to the Arab efforts” to bring Hamas and Fatah to dialogue.
The security forces, loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, last night arrested 35 members of Islamic Hamas in West Bank including two leaders who were held for seven hours. It was one of the largest crackdowns against Hamas since last June.
“This campaign aims at striking the Arab efforts to restore unity among the Arab nations,” Hamas said in a statement, referring to bids to resume Fatah-Hamas dialogue under Arab mediation.
Talks between the two movements stopped when Hamas routed pro-Abbas security forces and seized control of Gaza last June, ending a short-lived unity government and creating a state of feud.
Hamas also considered the detentions as an effort to prove the power of the security services ahead of U.S. President W. George Bush visit to the region next week.
“The security chiefs try to prove to their Zionist and American masters that they still carry out their role and offering security services to the occupation by launching the war on the Palestinian resistance and crushing Hamas members,” the statement added.