The Palestinian Authority said it thwarted a Hamas suicide bombing plot.
P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas’ administration, which has been at loggerheads with Hamas since the Islamist group seized the Gaza Strip in June, said Monday it had made several arrests in the West Bank in connection with a planned suicide bombing.
Officials said the detainees were from Hamas and had bomb-making equipment, but provided no details on where or when they were planning to strike. Hamas declined comment on the announcement.
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have been on high alert for Hamas terrorist attacks ahead of next week’s visit by U.S. President George W. Bush.
Abbas is under pressure as well to prove to Israel that he can impose security in the West Bank so peace talks can progress.
