The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) security forces began on Sunday night a serious crackdown on Palestinian activists, militants and political bureaus leaders of Islamic Jihad and Hamas groups, Palestinian security sources said.
The sources said that security forces arrested scores of Palestinian activists in both Gaza and the West Bank during the crackdown campaign.
However, Hamas and Islamic Jihad sources indicated that at least 100 members, activists and well known leaders were arrested from their homes in Gaza and several West bank towns.
Palestinian analysts said that the PNA seems to be very serious this time in cracking down on Palestinian opposition and militants following the series of attacks against Israel that killed at least 30 people and wounded hundreds.
Chief of PNA public security in Gaza Brigadier General Abdel Razaq El Majayda Sunday night read an official statement on Palestinian television, calling for an end to all types of violence and incitement in the West Bank and Gaza.
Al Majayda stressed that the PNA demanded a halt of all kinds of demonstrations, rallies and procession in the Palestinian territories, noting that every demonstration or rally must be licensed by the Palestinian police.
(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2001)
