Jerusalem: Israeli elite forces arrested 26 "central figures" of Hamas from the West Bank city of Nablus today (Apr 3, 2004) in an extensive daylong operation.

According to the Army, the 26 are central figures in the organization and the operation is a harsh blow to their efforts to regroup in order to launch attacks against Israel.

The operation that began before dawn yesterday (Apr 2, 2004) lasted till late in the afternoon.

"After a six-month lull in Hamas terrorist activities coming out of Nablus, the militant group is trying to re-establish its terror network in the city, which was dealt a harsh blow in IDF and Shin Bet operations that began with Operation Defensive Shield two years ago," military sources said.

According to Army radio, almost all of the Israeli elite forces, the Sayeret Matkal, the Navy's Shayetet 13, the elite "Duvdevan" unit, and an elite border police anti-terror unit "Yamam", were involved in the sweep.

Security sources said they had warnings on militants' intentions of leaving Nablus to carry out attacks.

Palestinian sources reportedly claimed that troops had arrested 40 individuals. They said that some 40 tanks operated in the city, and troops took control of a number of buildings, thoroughly searched them, and blocked roads.

Five Palestinians were wounded in clashes with the troops, witnesses reportedly said.

Meanwhile, all the Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, are to discuss the possibility of forming a united Palestinian leadership, Israel radio reported quoting Palestinian sources.