RAMALLAH, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian National Authority ( PNA) and Islamic Hamas movement on Thursday traded accusations over intensive arrests in the West Bank after Hamas claimed responsibility for two attacks on Israelis.
The PNA said that Hamas' claims that hundreds of its supporters were arrested there "are no more than lies" while Hamas said that up to 550 members and supporters were detained and summons were sent to 1,500 Hamas people.
The tension followed an attack that killed four Israelis near the West Bank city of Hebron Tuesday and another attack near Ramallah last night, which wounded two Jewish settlers.
Hamas, which has been controlling the Gaza Strip since it routed forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, claimed responsibility for the attacks that came on the eve of launching new direct peace talks between Israel and Palestinians in Washington.
Adnan Damiri, spokesman for pro-Abbas forces, said Hamas "aims at weakening the Palestinian negotiator before his Israeli counterpart." He accused Hamas of sabotaging the negotiations " whenever a glitter of hope through a political solution looms."
Damiri could not deny the detentions, but said none of the detainees was taken in relation with the shootings at the Israelis. He accused the nabbed people of "making troubles and attacking the law," noting that the Islamic movement "was seeking to make a coup in the West Bank" similar to the 2007 violent Gaza takeover.
In Gaza, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the Palestinian security forces "formed a joint committee" with Israel to pursue militants who attacked the Israelis, adding the detentions of Hamas supporters was in connection with Hebron and Ramallah shootings.
Special Report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts
