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Hamas Tried to Take Control of the Palestinian Police in the West Bank

[Maariv-Hebrew, 30Mar07] Amit Cohen - It was supposed to be a quiet, secret mission - that would lead to Hamas taking over the Palestinian police in the West Bank. Hundreds of Hamas activists were recruited and trained in the West Bank prior to their entry into the police, but the quick reaction of the Israeli security services and the IDF cut short the plan. In mid-2006, just a few months after winning the elections, Hamas decided to establish the Executive Force in Gaza, a police unit answering directly to the Interior Minister. Soon afterward, it decided to set up a similar force in the West Bank, in opposition to the security forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas. Since an independent Hamas unit would be an easy target for the Israeli security services, Hamas decided on "quiet penetration" of the Palestinian police. Released Hamas prisoners with a terror background formed the initial force, numbering some 80 activists, whose purpose was to recruit hundreds more. Some 300 were recruited and underwent training, where they received instructions on what to say if questioned, and to hide any affiliation with Hamas. Israel began to arrest the Hamas operatives, and by January had arrested some 250, which has effectively blocked the plan.
2007-04-02 01:00:00
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