Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday called on Egypt, which works on launching a national Palestinian dialogue, to declare its stance about the continued crackdown by Palestinian security forces against Hamas supporters in West Bank.
Hamas' call was made after the security services, loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, arrested 16 Hamas members in West Bank overnight on Wednesday.
The arrests were conducted at a time when a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to discuss with Egyptian mediators for launching the dialogue to end the Palestinian political crisis and the feud between Hamas and Fatah.
"We wonder what was the message and meaning that the security chiefs in West Bank want to circulate after this campaign of arrest," Hamas said in a statement.
The pro-Abbas forces have been cracking down against Hamas members in West Bank since the Islamic movement took control of Gaza Strip by force last year. Fatah also accuses Hamas of chasing down its supporters and leaders in the coastal strip.
Hamas said it took several steps to pave the way for the success of the dialogue, including the release of tens of Fatah members who were held for political activities, but accused the West Bank forces of not doing the same measures.
Hamas urged its officials, who are meeting the Egyptian mediators, to raise the issue of the continued arrests against its members in the West Bank, saying the arrests are intended to sabotage the efforts to launch the dialogue.
Source: Xinhua
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