Abbas has closed Hamas-linked organisations and arrested hundreds of supporters [AFP]

Hebron, a former Hamas stronghold, is the West Bank's largest city, and the third to be reinforced with forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.

The troops arrived before dawn on Saturday during the Jewish Sabbath, a weekly day of rest, chosen to prevent protests by hundreds of Israeli settlers who live in several heavily fortified enclaves in the city.

Hebron is divided into an Israeli-controlled downtown area, and the larger Palestinian-run part of the city.

In recent months, Abbas has been trying to expand control over the once unruly West Bank, deploying forces first in the cities of Nablus and Jenin, and now in Hebron.

Crackdown

Abbas has intensified a crackdown on Hamas after the armed group seized control of Gaza by force in June 2007, leaving him only the West Bank.

Trying to prevent Hamas from taking over the West Bank, Abbas has closed Hamas-linked organisations and arrested hundreds of supporters.

Several hundred Palestinian police officers are already deployed in Hebron. The new contingent of 585 troops drove into Hebron in jeeps, vans and buses early on Saturday.

The forces assembled at the city's security headquarters. By mid-morning, several jeeps carrying the new arrivals left the compound and began patrolling the city streets.

Samih Seifi, Hebron's Palestinian security chief, said he's determined to impose order.

He said he would go after criminals as well as fighters.

"We will arrest whoever tries to stop us, and we will not let anyone deter us," Seifi said.

The Palestinian forces will not patrol the Israeli-controlled sector.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: