Hamas bombs W. Bank jail
Organization sets of explosive at PA jail containing many of its operatives, calling act a 'warning sign' against future action to restrain Hamas
An explosive device was detonated Tuesday in a Palestinian Authority prison in Nablus, where Hamas prisoners are being held, following a wave of crackdowns against the Islamist group's operatives in the West Bank after its June takeover of Gaza.
No injuries were reported in the blast at Jenaid prison. Palestinian sources said the event is considered a "warning sign" to the PA, to stop its arrests of Hamas operatives.
In recent weeks, leaders of Hamas and its military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam, warned Fatah and the Palestinian Authority against continuing its campaign of arrests of the organization's operatives, saying "our patience is wearing thin. Don't underestimate our forces in the West Bank."
PA sources had posited, directly after Hamas' June takeover of Gaza, that the Islamist group would try to take over the West Bank or, at the very least, clash harshly against any steps taken by security forces to restrain their operatives in the area.
In the past, PA sources had also expressed concern that Hamas members would try to attack senior members of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority, as well as PA buildings.
