Shin Bet: PA has arrested 250 Hamas men over past month

Palestinian security forces have arrested more than 250 Hamas operatives in the West Bank over the past month, according to a report by the Shin Bet security service. The report suggests a crackdown by Fatah-affiliated security services on the Islamist organization's infrastructure in Judea and Samaria.

Most detainees are from Nablus, where the Palestinian security forces enjoy partial control. Additionally, Hebron - which is considered a Hamas stronghold - has seen increased activity on the part of security forces, according to the report.

The report, titled "Tracking the Performance of Palestinian Security Forces," is updated weekly and submitted to decision-makers, among other recipients. It lists all known arrests by Palestinian security forces, as well as raids to seize illegal weapons and thwarted terrorist attacks. Some of the detainees that the security forces had seized between November 29 and January 2 belonged to non-military organizations within Hamas, including charities. On the last week of December, the PA arrested 50 Hamas men, 25 of whom were caught in Nablus. Fifteen were nabbed in Hebron, and the rest were rounded up in Qalqilyah, Ramallah, Jenin and Tul Karm.

"We are seeing an effort on the part of the Palestinians to tighten their grip on the street, and this is having practical results," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said during Sunday's cabinet meeting. "Israel will continue to act where the terrorist organizations are acting," he added.

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