Palestinian Authority: Hamas arms stash was 'not intended for use against Israel'
Tuesday, January 4, 2011 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has reported a Hamas stockpile of advanced weapons.
PA officials said security forces have uncovered and confiscated a Hamas weapons stockpile in the Ramallah area. They said the stockpile contained rocket-propelled grenade launchers and munitions.
"We seized their weapons, which were intended to target the [Palestinian] National Authority and were not intended for use against Israel," PA police spokesman Maj. Gen. Adnan Dumeiri said.
In a briefing on Dec. 22, Dumeiri said security forces found four RPG launchers and 17 grenades. He did not identify the location of the Hamas stronghold or how many people were arrested.
Dumeiri said the Hamas cell was captured in October. During the following month, the PA reported the arrest of a Hamas cell in Nablus accused of planning to assassinate the governor.
Since August, the PA has arrested more than 1,000 Hamas members in the West Bank. Officials said Hamas has established military cells trained and equipped to attack PA leaders and facilities.
"The security establishment considers the actions of Hamas in Gaza and Damascus to be very dangerous," Dumeiri said. "And their language contains a direct call to murder and a direct call to civil war."