RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian security services intensified in early September their security operations in the West Bank in pursuit of arms and drug traffickers and individuals who have used arms during family quarrels.
These security operations, which include raids, incursions and ambushes, come in response to the presidential decree issued by President Mahmoud Abbas on Sept. 1 amending the Firearms and Ammunition Law No. 2 of 1998, to increase prison terms and financial fines imposed on crimes related to the possession, use, trafficking in, manufacturing and smuggling of firearms in violation of the law.