Israel, Fatah Crack Down on Hamas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, attends Friday Muslim prayers at a mosque adjacent to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Friday June 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen) (Muhammed Muheisen - AP)

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- In a widening crackdown on Hamas, Israel arrested the founder of the group's military wing Saturday and moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pushed forward with a plan to cut off cash to the Islamic militants.

Abbas' Fatah movement rejected an offer for dialogue from the top Hamas leader, deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

And, in his first remarks since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak described the takeover more than a week ago as a "coup" and warned that the conflict with Fatah could lead to the creation of two Palestinian entities.

Abbas on Friday ordered all non-governmental groups, including those allied with Hamas, to get new operating licenses. They now have a week to comply. A senior Palestinian official confirmed Saturday that Hamas-allied groups are the target of the review.

Heads of NGOs warned that Abbas' decree may be difficult to enforce since Hamas' social network provides vital services in an increasingly impoverished society, often stepping in where the cash-strapped government fails to deliver.

Haniyeh told Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in a telephone conversation that he wanted dialogue with Fatah, his office said.

"Haniyeh affirmed that dialogue is the only way to solve differences," read the statement from his office. Haniyeh has previously called for talks with Fatah since the Gaza takeover.

"Dialogue is a need for Palestinians but not now," said Mohammed Hourani, an Abbas confidant. "First Hamas has to apologize to the Palestinian people for the crimes committed in Gaza."

Before dawn Saturday, Israeli troops arrested the founder of the Hamas military wing in the West Bank, Saleh Aruri, prompting allegations by the militant group that Israeli and Palestinian security forces are coordinating their moves in the crackdown.

Aruri had been released in March after serving 15 years in an Israeli prison. His wife, Hana, said a dozen jeeps surrounded their home in the village of Arura on Saturday, and soldiers ordered her husband to come out. Israeli military officials alleged that Aruri has been involved in violent Hamas activity since his release.

Hamas has not been clear on its policies since it seized Gaza. On Saturday, hardline Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar was quoted as saying his group might carry out bombings and other attacks in the West Bank in response to an arrest sweep there. Dozens of Hamas activists have been arrested by the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank since the Gaza takeover.

Other Hamas activists have hinted at a bombing campaign to try to destabilize the West Bank, a stronghold of Abbas' Fatah movement. Zahar's comment, to the German news magazine Der Spiegel, marked the first public confirmation of such a plan.