PA security arrests man "who received 3 million euros from Hamas"

Jul 4, 2009, 10:25 GMT

Ramallah - Security forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have arrested in Ramallah a man who received three million euros from the Islamic Hamas movement for an alleged assassination plot, a security source said Saturday.

The source, who spoke in condition of anonymity, said Hamas transferred the money to the man identified as Zaher Abu Jebba 'under the pretext of purchasing goods and construction materials.'

'The arrest of the man and the money found with him is linked to Hamas plans to assassinate senior Palestinian Authority officials in the West Bank,' said the source.

'The man confessed that the money was intended to be transferred to Hamas movement in the West Bank under the pretext of purchasing goods and construction materials.'

Since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Abbas security forces has been cracking down on Hamas movement in the West Bank amid a perceived threat of Hamas also seizing control there.

Last week, secretary general of the Palestinian Authority, Tayeb Abdel Rahim revealed that the PA security arrested two weeks ago six Hamas members were planning to kill senior PA officials.

Abu Jebba was arrested in an apartment in Ramallah, with a Gaza woman, said the source, adding: 'When she was asked about her presence with the man, she said they are friends and she is there for medical treatment.'

The source said: 'The detained man has direct contacts with Hamas and its armed wing al-Qassam Brigades. The three million euros were transferred from Gaza to Ramallah through a money exchange agent.'

Hamas and Fatah failed in Cairo talks last week to reach a reconciliation deal ending their rift, and Egyptian mediatiors have set another target date for an agreement to be reached by July 28.