PA arrests 30 Hamas activists in West Bank sweep

Palestinian Authority security forces launched a major arrest operation against Hamas operatives in the West Bank.

At least 30 suspected members of the organization, which competes with the Fatah organization led by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, were in custody late Sunday.

The arrests were taking place in tandem throughout the West Bank in a highly coordinated operation, Israel Radio said.

According to Hamas sources cited by Israel Radio’s Gal Berger, the arrests were heavily concentrated in the Hebron, Tulkarem and Ramallah districts. Hamas identified those arrested as including former Israeli security prisoners, academics and university students.

In a separate incident, PA security arrested three Hamas activists in Ramallah suspected of vandalizing a memorial to Jordanian pilot Muaz Kasasbeh, who was burned to death by the Islamic State terror group in January. The memorial was spray-painted with expressions of support for Islamic State.

The PA has threatened to stop security cooperation with Israel in recent months over Israel’s withholding of tax revenues collected for the PA from Palestinians. The Israeli move is a response to the PA’s appeals to international fora, including the International Criminal Court, to seek action against Israeli leaders. But PA officials have suggested any cessation of security cooperation, which has helped keep violence down in the territory, would only take place after Israel’s election on March 17.