Since Islamic Hamas movement took control of the Gaza Strip by force in mid-June 2007, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas security forces have always kept an eye on its activities in the West Bank, in fear of its attempt to take control of the territory.

In recent weeks, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) security forces doubled its security activities against Hamas in the West Bank, and cracked down on the movement's militants, activists and members.

The two separate violent incidents in the northern West Bank city of Qalqilya, where four Hamas militants, four security officers and one civilian were killed, rang a warning bell, and urged the PNA security forces to intensify their crackdown on the movement.

After Qalqilya's incidents, Abbas' security forces spokesman Adnan Dameiri said in a statement that the security forces discovered huge amounts of weapons and explosives hidden in mosques, and arrested dozens of Hamas activists, with lots of money, maps and incitement leaflets confiscated.

"Our security forces will never let Hamas play with the stable security situation in the West Bank or create a status of unrest or instability," said al-Dameiri.

What does Hamas say?

Several Hamas leaders vowed to take control of the West Bank where now dominated by its rival Fatah.

After Hamas took control of Gaza by defeating Abbas security forces in mid-June, 2007, Fatah has been on continuous alert.

Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas movement spokesman in Gaza accused Abbas and the PNA for "kidnapping women, scientists and political leaders in the West Bank, to weaken the movement's power in the West Bank. This is a dangerous indication that would have a negative impact on the reconciliation dialogue."

"Abbas and (PM Salam) Fayyad are getting the help of the Zionist enemy to break Hamas and also win more time to delay reaching a reconciliation agreement," Barhoum told Xinhua in a telephone interview, adding "Fatah and Abbas violated all the red lines."

Abu Obeida, Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades spokesman in Gaza warned Abbas security forces in the West Bank that Hamas would never keep its hands bound towards the daily killings and arrests carried out against Hamas militants and leaders in the West Bank.

The PNA officials considered Abu Obeida and other Hamas leaders statements were made following Qalqilya's violent incidents and following the intensive crackdown on Hamas as serious threats aiming at targeting senior PNA security officials and Fatah leaders.

Pessimistic to end feud

Mekhemer Abu Se'da, a Palestinian analyst and academic at al-Azhar University in Gaza told Xinhua that amid the ongoing exchanges of accusations between the two big rival movements that lead the Palestinian people, "I don't see hope that the two sides will end their disputes and hatred."

Following Qalqilya's incidents and the recent obvious crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank, Hamas security forces, which rules the Gaza Strip, had also arrested dozens of Fatah leaders and activists. Hamas leader Salah e-Bardawil denied that the arrests in Gaza was a response to the arrests in the West Bank.

"I believe that the ordinary Palestinians, mainly in the Gaza Strip, are the people who suffer more and keep paying heavy prices as this serious rift between Gaza and the West Bank is still going on," said Abu Se'da, adding "they (Fatah and Hamas) must stop for the sake of their people."

Egypt's role

However, Egypt, who has been sponsoring five rounds of intensive inter-dialogue between Fatah and Hamas and other factions, insists that the two groups should sooner or later end all their differences and sign a reconciliation agreement in Cairo on July 7.

Following the recent violence in the West Bank and the mutual accusations between the two groups, Egypt's intelligence chief Omer Suleiman held intensive talks with top Fatah and Hamas leaders in Cairo this week to contain the crisis and resume the dialogue.

A well-informed Palestinian source, who spoke in condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that in spite of the mounting feud between Fatah and Hamas, a reconciliation agreement to be signed in Cairo between Fatah and Hamas is becoming "very imminent."

(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2009)