The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Monday accused Islamic Hamas movement and its armed wing of plotting to assassinate senior Palestinian officials in the West Bank.

Tayeb Abdel Rahim, chief of the Palestinian Presidency in Ramallah told a news conference that the PNA had confidential information that Hamas leadership abroad and Gaza militants were planning those assassinations.

"Following investigations with several Hamas activists, who had been recently detained, they confessed that they were authorized by Hamas leadership abroad and al-Kassam militants to carry out the assassinations," said Abdel Rahim.

Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in mid June 2007, and it has been ruling the enclave since then after its militants routed President Mahmoud Abbas's security forces and cracked down on his Fatah movement.

Leaders of the two movements, Fatah and Hamas, are currently in Cairo, holding talks to resolve outstanding substantial issues related to the unity government, security apparatuses and elections law.

Egypt informed the two groups' negotiators that whether they agreed or not, they should sign a reconciliation agreement on July7. Officials in both sides traded accusations that each was trying to thwart the dialogue.

"Hamas asked its militants in the West Bank to carry out the assassinations before July 7, the date agreed upon to sign the reconciliation agreement," said Abdel Rahim.

"We have reliable and confidential information saying that the Hamas figures were told to celebrate the success of their assassination operations against Palestinian figures in the West Bank at 2:00 PM on July 1," he added.

Abdel Rahim told reporters that the Palestinian security apparatuses in the West Bank "are completely controlling the security situation and there is no need to worry, while the investigation with those elements haven't finished yet."

Abdel Rahim's statements came shortly after Palestinian security apparatuses spokesman Adnan Dumeri announced that President Abbas instructed to release 100 Hamas members who were arrested by his forces in the West Bank.

There was no immediate response from Hamas's armed wing on Abdel Rahim's claims.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2009)