By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian security forces, loyal to moderate President Mahmoud Abbas, arrested eight members of Hamas movement in the West Bank, the Islamic movement said on Thursday.
The detentions took place in West Bank cities of Nablus, Jenin, Salfit, Qalqilia and Tulkarem, Hamas said, adding that a number of its members were taken from their houses while others were arrested after receiving summons.
According to Hamas, the pro-Abbas security forces have been cracking down on the Islamic movement’s supporters in the West Bank since last June when Hamas routed the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)’s security forces in the Gaza Strip and took over the coastal enclave.
In a statement sent to the press, Hamas said that the security forces detained Hamas men for hours for interrogation and seized their arms before releasing them.