Israelis, Palestinians resume security talks

Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Govt have resumed security talks after a long break, which is a new sign of cooperation between the two country after the Islamic militant Hamas took over Gaza.
Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Govt have resumed security talks after a long break, which is a new sign of cooperation between the two country after the Islamic militant Hamas took over Gaza.

In a parallel crackdown on Hamas, security forces loyal to Abbas have taken dozens into custody and Israel has also made arrests, underlining their common interest in preventing a Hamas takeover of the West Bank.

Israel and Palestinan security officials met in an undisclosed location on Monday to "talk about how to move forward with security coopeation," Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said.

Eisin characterised the renewed talks as a first step and said the sides were not exchang in names of wanted militants or coordinating arrests.

Palestinian official said it was the latest in a series of contacts in recent weeks.

The Palestinians asked Israel to ease restrictions on movement within the West Bank and to stop going after gunmen loyal to Abbas, but Israel gave no assurances, the offcials said, speaking on condition of anonimity because of the sensitvity of the subject.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, accused Abbas of being an Israeli collaborator.

The meetings, Abu Zuhri said, "render the (Palestinian) security agenices tools in the hands of Israeli intelligence