Recently deployed PA special forces have rounded up 250 Hamas supporters and terrorists in Hevron, according to sources quoted by the Post. The PA, headed by Fatah chairman Mahmoud Abbas, has been under threat by increasing Hamas strength in Hevron.

Other PA forces operate in Jenin and Shechem, but counterterrorist operations against Hamas usually are carried out by the IDF. The Olmert government is planning to allow similar deployments of the American-trained special forces in Tulkarm, east of Netanya, and Kalkilya, adjacent to Kfar Saba.