GAZA CITY: Israeli forces yesterday imposed a three-year closure on four Hamas-affiliated facilities in the West Bank city of Nablus, Palestinian security sources said.
They said that the Israeli forces closed the Orphan’s Charity, the Charitable Solidarity Club, Islamic School in Rafedia neighborhood and the At-Tadamun (solidarity) medical center in the Rawda mosque. The Israeli forces also stormed the directorate of the Ministry of Wakf and Religious Affairs in the city.
Israeli authorities claimed the charities were part of Hamas’ infrastructure in Nablus, and that was the reason behind their closure. Director of the At-Tadamun center, Dr. Hafiz As-Sadr, said that the “Israeli soldiers destroyed all the contents of the center and confiscated 10,000 Israeli shekel ($3,000) and 1,500 Jordanian dinars ($2,000).” As-Sadr said the clinic provides medical services to local residents. He also refuted Israeli accusations that the clinic was part of any Hamas’ infrastructure, explaining that it was established in 1977, which was ten years before the foundation of Hamas movement.
The move came hours after the daily Haaretz reported that the Israel forces will soon be stepping up its campaign against Hamas’ civilian infrastructure in the West Bank, shutting down a large number of Hamas-affiliated charities, confiscating their property, and searching computers and documents that detail their activity. Israeli forces have been carrying out similar raids in the Hebron, Qalqilyah and Ramallah areas since the beginning of the year, but the campaign will now be expanded to additional parts of the West Bank, in the wake of approval from Israeli legal authorities, the report said. After receiving permission to seize property that provides Hamas-affiliated associations with income, even if they are not directly linked to “terrorism”, the Israeli forces has shut down a mall in Hebron, confiscated buses and prohibited the opening of a new school in Hebron due to ties with Hamas-linked associations. Offices and storehouses have also been shut down.
The Israeli Army argues that closing Hamas-affiliated institutions cuts off a crucial source of funding earmarked for “terror activities”. Hamas-affiliated institutions that were targeted so far include schools, health centers, charities, and even soup kitchens and orphanages. Dozens of associations were shut down and the food confiscated.
