Islamic Hamas movement and rival Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday traded accusations over holding hostages despite Israeli offensive into the Hamas-ruled Gaza.
In the Fatah-dominated West Bank, Hamas said that pro-Abbas forces arrested four Hamas members in various places and cities. In a statement sent to the media, Hamas explained that the detentions took place in Nablus, Tubas and Tulkarem.
In Gaza, Fatah says Hamas evacuated its compounds for fears of being targeted by Israeli aircraft and left Fatah captives inside.
In June last year, Hamas took over Gaza Strip and ousted Fatah. As a result, pro-Abbas forces launched a crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank while Hamas arrested Fatah members in Gaza.
Fehmi al-Za'arrier, a spokesman for Fatah, said Hamas has released about 70 prisoners; 60 of them were criminals and drug dealers and the 12 others were members of Hamas who were being held for committing "internal violations among Hamas."
"But Hamas left about 1,000 Fatah prisoners, held for political reasons, in its detention centers," al-Za'arrier said in a statement faxed to the media.
Hamas often said the detentions it carries out in Gaza were away from political backgrounds.
The trade of accusations comes amid mounting calls, by independent and leftist Palestinian groups, on the two movements to end their rivalries and to politically reunite the Gaza Strip with West Bank.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article