Israel arrests Abbas guard

Published yesterday (updated) 17/04/2010 12:16

 Nablus – Ma'an –

Hours before US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised recent Palestinian Authority security reforms, Israel arrested a member of President Mahmoud Abbas' security detail, Ma'an has learned.

Thabet Ja'aysa, 21, a member of the Palestinian Authority's elite Presidential Guard unit, was detained along with two others Thursday evening at the Huwwara military checkpoint south of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

Ja'aysa's father affirmed that his son was detained. Israel's army notified him by phone, he said.

Meanwhile in Washington, Clinton cited US General Keith Dayton's training of PA security forces as a positive development, but said "Israel can and should do more to support the Palestinian Authority's efforts."

"The United States has partnered with the PA to improve the effectiveness of its security forces," she said. "General Dayton is here this evening and I want personally and publicly to thank him for his efforts."

Citing "increased capacity and commitment of Palestinian security forces," Clinton said "Extending and sustaining this positive development also requires Israel to be a partner."

Ala Muhammad Abu Habeeb, 22, a member of the PA security forces, and Muhammad Nabhan, 22, a civilian, were also detained en route to Ramallah. All three men are from the Al-Fari'a refugee camp in northern Nablus.

Israel's military stated in response: "Yesterday evening three Palestinians were arrested at the Hawara crossing, south of Nablus. The three were wanted for questioning by the security forces."

An Israeli security source confirmed that the men were detained.

Israel's military has generally declined to offer an on-the-record confirmation when its forces detain members of the PA security forces, an apparently growing trend over the past few months.

Last November, Israeli forces detained the commander and four officers of the PA Intelligence Services.

High-level negotiations between Palestinian and Israeli officials ensued in an effort to have the men released, with American officials entering the debate and expressing "concern" over the Israeli actions.

At the time, Israeli media reported confirmation from the Israeli "defense establishment" of the detention of the five officers, but gave no details as to why the move was made.

Israel's military, however, refused to comment.