Palestinian police arrest 14 Hamas members in Gaza

Palestinian security forces arrested 14 members of the Islamic militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Thursday after President Yasser Arafat ordered measures to foil attacks on Israeli civilians, a security official said.

"You can call these arrests preventative measures. They are meant to implement President Arafat's orders," the official said as Israel considered a tough military response to Tuesday's suicide bombing in Rishon Letzion that killed 15 Israelis

Asked whether there would be further arrests, the Palestinian official told Reuters security forces would "act in accordance with developments on the ground".

A statement on a pro-Hamas Web site confirmed the arrests, saying the Palestinian Authority had carried them out in connection with Tuesday's attack.

Israel Radio also reported Thursday that official Palestinian media have been ordered not to interview any Hamas officials.