Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

      RAMALLAH, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Security forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday arrested seven Hamas members across the West Bank, the Islamic movement said.

    The arrests highlight tension between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah and complicate Egypt's efforts as Cairo is to host a national Palestinian dialogue next week to reconcile the two movements.

    Denouncing the arrests, Hamas said keeping its supporters held in West Bank prisons was "a crime and an obstacle on the way of the dialogue."

    "President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement did not take any positive step showing their well intention for the dialogue," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.

    Barhoum urged Abbas to secure the release of Hamas supporters.

    Since Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces and seized control of the Gaza Strip last year, the two parties cracked down against each other in the territories they control.

    Last week, Hamas released 17 Fatah prisoners in Gaza, saying they were the only prisoners Hamas held for their political activities and that the move was a good-will gesture towards the Cairo dialogue.

    Hamas claims up to 300 supporters were detained in the West Bank.