Walla News quoting “a senior PA (Palestinian Authority) source” reports the PA claims arrests of Hamas cell members prevented terror attacks in Israel.

A wave of arrests carried out by the PA throughout Yehuda and Shomron prevented terror attacks. Over 250 Hamas members were arrested since the beginning of July, the senior PA official reports. The detainees are members of sleeper cells affiliated with Hamas. The report adds the entire cell is comprised of terrorists released by Israel in the Gilad Shalit deal.

Heading the Hamas operation in Yehuda and Shomron is Salah el-Aruri, who is in Turkey.

The PA official is quoted that while the arrests were publicized of late, the actual arrests began a year ago after PA security officials learned Hamas was building sleeper cells in PA areas. In the first wave of arrests, 25 Hamas members were taken into custody, adding they are based primarily in Tulkarem, Kalkilye, Jenin, Shechem and Salfit.

The cells were instructed to perpetrate attacks and kidnap Israelis to set “the West Bank on fire”. In the Hebron area, a number of terrorists were taken into custody. They had a “large sum of money” which was intended to purchase additional weapons and ammunition.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)