RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has been arresting student leaders aligned with Hamas.

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PA security forces have been raiding An Najah University in Nablus and arrested 40 Hamas student activists. A statement by the student union said the arrests were conducted in a series of PA operations in November.

"PA security holds the full responsibility of the lives of the students and teachers who are detained," the student union said.

Hamas sources said the PA's crackdown was meant to end the Islamic influence on universities in the West Bank. Until 2009, the student councils of most Palestinian universities had been led by Hamas-aligned blocs.

But with the arrest of Hamas student leaders and prevention of Islamic activity, many of the universities have reverted to the control of the ruling Fatah movement. The exception has been the Islamic University in Hebron, regarded as a Hamas stronghold.

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