News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Hamas accused the Fatah-affiliated establishment in Hevron on Thursday of disproportionately targeting Hamas operatives and supporters over the past five weeks. MP (Hamas) Yasser Al Zaarir told the Al Jazeera satellite television network that 70 percent of those arrested are Hamas men or supporters of the movement, being investigated for connections to the organization or to Hamas affiliated charities. Zaarir added that the PA security forces don't hesitate to inflict suffering, and that the point of all the activities is to mold the environment in the field to prepare for the general elections and to discourage the public from supporting Hamas.

Arab governor of Hevron Hussein Al-a-Araj and Commander of the Palestine National Security forces Samiah al Sifi both completely denied the charges. Al Sifi cited as evidence to the contrary that ten days ago his forces arrested ten Fatah men for illegal activity. Al a Araj said the PA is the body that decides whether or not weapons are used in the "resistance," but that among Hamas there are those who freely tout the term "resistance" but end up aiming their weapons at their brothers.