Hamas on Wednesday, March 13 denied claims by Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), that it is planning terrorist operations against Israel in the West Bank, The Jerusalem Post reported citing Palestinian news agency Ma'an.

Shin Bet stated that Hamas in Gaza has increased efforts to set up terrorist cells in the West Bank, and ordered new recruits to create and fire rockets at Israel from the West Bank, to kidnap and kill a soldier, and prepare suicide bombings.

However, Hamas denied the claims, with Interior Ministry spokesman Islam Shahwan saying the statements are an "attempt to avert the eyes of the public off Hamas' campaign against collaborators," Shahwan said.