Media sources loyal to the Hamas movement reported on Tuesday that Palestinian security forces, loyal to the Fateh movement, arrested eleven members and supporters of the movement in several parts of the West Bank.

The sources stated that the security forces arrested Hisham Ghanim, Imad Sweisy, Ahmad Hamdan, Mohammad Abu Hussein and Mohannad Abu Hasan from Sorra village, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

In the Central West Bank city of Ramallah, the security forces arrested Mo'tasim Nakhla, from the Al Jalazoun refugee camp, Sari Abdul-Raziq from Zeita-Jama'in, and Fadi Al Aroury.

In the southern West Bank city of Hebron, the security forces arrested Wael Al Dweik, Jawad Al Ja'bary and Abdul-Aziz Al Sa'afin. Israel recently barred Al Sa'afin from leaving the West Bank as he was on his way to Mecca for pilgrimage.

Senior Islamic Jihad leader, Mohammad Al Hindy stated in an interview with the Maan News Agency that the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, will most likely declare a new Palestinian president replacing Mahmoud Abbas after January 9 of 2009 which marks the end of Abbas’ term in office.

Al Hindy added that Abbas will find a legal “exit from this dilemma” and will receive Arab, European, American and Israeli recognition.

He also stated that Hamas will name the new president and the internal crisis will increase as the Palestinians will have two presidents, one in Gaza and one in the West Bank.

Al Hindi added that Israel plays an essential role in increasing the gap between Fateh and Hamas as it benefits from the ongoing rift and internal Palestinian divisions.  

Furthermore, Al Hindy said that Hamas and Fateh must find a solution to bridge this gap and must end internal divisions as the current situation only benefits Israel.  

Commenting on the failure to hold internal dialogue in Cairo, Al Hindi said that the Palestinians are suffering from internal divisions and if the factions do not end this situation, the Palestinian territories will witness further divisions and rifts.

He called on all factions, Egypt and the Arab League to continue the efforts to bring the Palestinians factions to internal dialogue table in order to achieve internal Palestinian unity.

Commenting on the US elections, Al Hindi said that he doesn’t believe the Barack Obama’s victory will affect the Palestinian-Israeli talks.

He added that Obama would push towards a two-state solution and that this solution proved to be a failure as the two main parties in the U.S (The Democratic Party and the Republican Party) view the Palestinian-Israel conflict via the Israeli perspective.