Palestinian forces in Hebron say Hamas 'in the crosshairs'

Since they began operating in the West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian Authority security forces have been cracking down on rival faction Hamas' footholds.

At present time the focus is primarily aimed at the Islamist movement's civil infrastructure, namely its charity organizations.

Around 600 officers began deploying on Friday as part of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' strategy to strengthen the PA in the West Bank, which is liable to fall into Hamas' hands. The move was approved by Israeli authorities.

The troops, trained in Jordan and Egypt for special missions, has so far taken 25 Hamas operatives into custody.

Earlier in the day Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who relayed the original request to Israel, paid a visit to Hebron along with Interior Minister Abed al-Razek al-Yihya. The two met with local PA commanders and discussed the need to further reinforce the ranks deployed in Hebron.

Fayyad stressed the importance of maintaining order in the city, and slammed those who criticized the move as a collaborative effort on the PA's part with Israel to disarm the Palestinian organizations.

The prime minister said he failed to understand the objection "of certain parties, who criticize our determination to bring peace to our citizens and homeland. These parties would prefer to see more Israeli

operations that are intended to weaken the (Palestinian) Authority. They aren't interested in seeing the PA restore its deterrent power and bring security and order to its people."

Several Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, have recently attacked the deployment of PA troops in Hebron and the Authority's tactics in general as they apply to the use of force in the West Bank.

The groups claim that the true objective of the increased operations is to thwart attacks against Israel. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have both asserted that the PA's prisoners are packed with political prisoners, a claim the latter denies.