Bethlehem – Ma’an – The Hamas movement said on Thursday that the Fatah-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) detained 16 of its supporters in the West Bank over the last two days.

In a statement the movement said the detentions took place in the Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah, Jerusalem and Tulkarem areas.

Since Hamas seized full control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, the PA has consolidated power in the West Bank, arresting members of opposing parties and banning Hamas from public demonstrations or other displays of affiliation.

Hamas authorities in Gaza have also clamped down on Fatah activity, allegedly arresting members of the group and banning its activities.

Arrests as a method of political repression in both the West Bank and Gaza have been a stumbling block in efforts to reunite the rival movements.