PA begins arresting Hamas member

Associated Press via Jerusalem Post ^ | May. 9, 2002

[Clive]

The Palestinian Authority appears to be taking preventative actions against Hamas operative in the Gaza Strip.

In Gaza City, Hamas officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that 16 members were arrested today by Palestinian police, but would not reveal the identities of those taken into custody.

"I do have reports that there is some kind of campaign that has targeted some members of the movement," said Hamas spokesman Ismail Abu Shanab.

He said he could not confirm the exact number of those arrested.

The arrests appeared to indicate that Arafat is responding to growing US pressure to take action against Palestinian militants.

A number of important Hamas figures were killed or captured during the Israeli offensive in the West Bank. However, all of the group's senior leaders are in Gaza, and Israel has so far refrained from targeting them.

In the past, Palestinian authorities have temporarily detained Hamas leaders, but then released them soon after. In some cases, it appeared the Palestinians took the moves largely to protect the Hamas leaders from possible Israeli attack.

Israel has accused the PA of taking such action to give the appearance of a crackdown on militants, but says their subsequent release shows the arrests are not serious.

The PA has also directed Palestinian broadcasting agencies to cease interviewing Hamas members, Israel Radio reported.

[carton253]

Some on check the back door of the jail and make sure they aren't going in the front for show and going out the back to commit more atrocities.

[Walkin Man]

The arrests appeared to indicate that Arafat is responding to growing US pressure to take action against Palestinian militants.

HA HA HA! Thats a good one!

Arafat walks his gangster pals through the front door of the jail so the adoring leftist media can get some good pics, hands them some fresh, strap on bombs for murderous brainwashed teenagers, then they leave out the back door! I'm sure the President will call this an incredible positive action and Saudi Prince Diaperhead will look on approvingly as those wacky American infidels are suckered one mo time!

[carton253]

Of course some on = someone

[piasa]

Cute tactics... commit a bombing, then immediately after, claim you are against terrorism and arrest a few people who aren't important anyway. Then the people you bombed will look mean if they retaliate or decide to go catch terrorists themselves.

Wait a while, then do it all over again.

Over and over...

And stupid people buy into it each time as if there are some new changes going on, when in fact it is just the same old tactic.