Palestinian intelligence prevent 'assassination plot' against senior Fatah leaders

Palestinian intelligence services have foiled an alleged plot to assassinate senior Palestinian politicians in the occupied West Bank.

A member of the military intelligence services told Palestinian reporters on Tuesday that four men had plotted to kill three Palestinian Authority officials, including the governor of Nablus, Akram Rajoub.

The other intended targets included Ghassan Shakaa, the mayor of Nablus, and two officials in the Fatah party, Jamal al-Tirawi and Amin Maqbool.

Three of the four men have been arrested and one of the accused men is a senior military intelligence officer.

The assassin group’s affiliations are not known, but it has been reported that the group’s intentions were to stir up discord and confusion amongst citizens.

Palestinian intelligence services had earlier reported making a number of arrests three weeks after gunmen opened fire on Shakaa’s house on July 1, causing no casualties or injuries.

Rajoub said that more information would emerge once the investigation was complete.