Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic political organization, has been greatly impacted by recent arrests in the occupied West Bank. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, up to 50 arrests have been made, including the Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem.
The Palestinian Authority security forces are said to have been behind the mass arrests, as part of their intensified campaign against the movement. The PPS noted that some of those detained are reportedly having their homes raided and searched.
The reported arrest of the Hamas spokesman, who has been serving as one of the main voices of the organization, marks a major development in the latest political developments between the two political entities in Palestine.
The Palestinian Authority launched its campaign against Hamas due to the leading role the movement has played in organizing and leading the weekly protests along the border between Gaza Strip and Israel since 2018. This has increased tensions between the two entities and led to several restrictions being imposed by the Palestinian Authority, including the arrest of the Hamas spokesman.
The Palestinian Authority has argued that these restrictions are in place to ease tensions and ensure the security of Palestinian civilians, while Hamas has argued that these measures are intended to stifle their political freedom.
It remains to be seen how Hamas will be affected by the detention of its spokesman, and whether the escalating tensions between the two entities will show signs of de-escalation. Nonetheless, this series of arrests has made it clear that the Palestinian Authority is serious about its campaign against Hamas.
