In a statement on May 31, Hamas's Izzedin Kassam Brigade said the PA
crackdown was directed by U.S. security envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton. The
statement said Dayton was the driving force behind the PA assault on a Hamas
safe house in the West Bank city of Kalkilya on May 30, in which six people
were killed, including the Hamas commander and his deputy.
"The Islamic warriors were killed in a planned crime that was
coordinated with Dayton and the Zionist enemy," the statement said.
The PA has confirmed Hamas plans. Officials said Hamas has begun
targeting senior PA commanders as well as security installations throughout
the West Bank. They said Hamas has established a military infrastructure in
most West Bank cities.
On June 11, the PA reported foiling Hamas plans to dig a tunnel
underneath security headquarters in the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
PA Interior Minister Said Abu Ali said Hamas also sought to acquire a large
quantity of explosives to attack the regime of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He
said both Hamas plots were foiled.
For its part, Hamas said it would hold Abbas responsible for the killing
of the military commander and his deputy in Kalkilya. Hamas called on
Palestinians not to join or cooperate with PA
security forces.
"The blood of Kalkilya martyrs will be a curse that chases these forces,
and we hold the chief of these forces Mahmoud Abbas the direct
responsibility on this crime," Hamas said. "The Kassam brigade will not
allow the harming any of its warriors, and any coward who doubts this will
receive this response."
