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Hamas stockpiling weapons in West Bank cities

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, January 12, 2007

RAMALLAH — Hamas has been storing weapons and recruiting fighters in preparation for a war with Fatah in the West Bank.

Palestinian sources said Hamas fighters have formed units in such cities as Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and Tulkarm. They said the units have stockpiled weapons to confront any Fatah offensive in the West Bank.

"The assessment by Hamas is that Fatah will launch a major assault in the northern West Bank," a security source said.

On Jan. 6, Fatah and Hamas forces battled in the northern West Bank town of Jenin, Middle East Newsline reported. Fatah operatives also abducted Nablus Deputy Mayor Mahdi Khamdali, a Hamas supporter. He was released two days later.

In Ramallah, Fatah gunmen torched six stores owned by Hamas supporters. Suspected Hamas operatives were reported to have fired toward the car of former Finance Minister Salam Fayad. Fayad, a critic of Hamas, was not in the vehicle.

"Right now, Hamas is in the defensive mode in the West Bank," the source said. "Their aim is to maintain a low profile and preserve their strength."

The sources said Hamas operatives have received hundreds of thousands of dollars to replenish arms and other supplies. They said Hamas has sought rocket-propelled grenade systems, widely used in the Gaza Strip.

For its part, Fatah has been recruiting gunmen to bolster its forces in the West Bank. The sources said the recruitment has taken place in major cities.


Copyright © 2007 East West Services, Inc.

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