Despite the PA (Palestinian Authority) announcement last week to halt security cooperation with Israel, the PA during the night (Monday to Tuesday, 19 Adar) arrested dozens of Hamas terrorists, the daily Maariv reports.

A Hamas spokesman abroad, Hussein Badran, released a statement that despite Abu Mazen’s claim to halt security cooperation with Israel, the arrests during the night deliver a different message, proving the security cooperation continues. He added that it is clear the PLO is uninterested in mending fences with Hamas, but prefers to act in line with Israeli directives. Israeli officials have announced 80% of terrorism throughout Yehuda and Shomron is carried out by Hamas.

The report quotes a senior defense official anonymously who explains the actions of the PA and the arrests signal the PA is working to calm the streets following a prolonged period of incitement.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)