Hamas: PA security forces seized 27 West Bank affiliates

In Nablus, PA security forces seized ex-prisoner A’lam Tabanja for the second time, in addition to I’sam Fahmi, head of a religious school (Dar Al-Quran) in Qabalan after he was summoned for questioning, Basaam A’marneh, a student at An-Najah University, who was arrested in front the university. PA forces also issued an order to shut down At-Tadamun sports club in Nablus, the statement said.

In Qalqiliia, PA security forces arrested Sheikh Mahmoud Ar-Rabe and Sheikh Riyad Al-Walweel, one of the Hamas leaders there, who was taken from his home, Wael Al-Hotari, who was released from an Israeli jail one week earlier, and Sharif Hanani, who was seized after being summoned for questioning.

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Russia to donate weapons to PA

Russia will provide the Palestinian Authority with a shipment of light arms, armored personnel carriers, and two helicopters in a move designed to bolster the Palestinian Security forces, Russian media reported.

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Palestinians warned against Jewish trade

Those who violate the religious order banning such activity would be accused of “high treason,” said Sheik Tayseer Rajab Tamimi, chief judge of the PA, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The latest warning was issued Wednesday after reports that Jewish businessmen from the United States had purchased land from Palestinians on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

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De facto government to attempt sending patients abroad without PA consent

The PA Ministry of Health in Ramallah had announced that permits would no longer be issued for Gazans injured during the three-week Israel war on the area, after concluding local hospitals could handle the surgeries. Minister of Health for the caretaker government Fathi Abu Moghli noted at the time that patients who could not be treated still had access to permits when necessary.

Because Egypt does has not recognized the de facto Gaza government as a legitimate body since its takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007, in order for Gazans to leave the Strip permissions must be secured from PA government officials.

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Fayyad to stay on as PA prime minister – for now

Diplomats say Fayyad – who says he won’t reconsider resignation – has grown increasingly frustrated both by a lack of progress in peace talks with Israel and by opposition within Abbas’s secular Fatah faction to his control over the Palestinian Authority’s purse strings.

Samir Abdallah, Minister of Planning, said Fayyad’s meeting with his 15 ministers on Monday was the government’s last session.

For full article, visit http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074984.html

Israeli blockade prevents EU cash from reaching Gazans

Israel’s refusal to allow cash into the Gaza Strip is preventing the payment of Italian-sponsored social welfare benefits for 24,500 Palestinian families facing hardship, indended to be ready Monday.

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