(Xinhua) -- Hamas on Monday criticized Israeli decisions and actions targeting Hamas-affiliated charities and facilities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 'It is really a crime against humanity. These charity organizations are serving all sectors of the Palestinian community, mainly poor families, orphans, and families of martyrs killed by the Israeli occupation,' Fawzi Barhoum told reporters in Gaza. Israeli army shut down four charities affiliated with Islamic Hamas in West Bank city of Nablus after storming the city early on Monday, Palestinian sources said.
The charities included a clinic and a club, one orphanage, an Islamic school for girls and a mosque.
On Monday, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that the army will step up its campaign against Hamas civil infrastructure in the West Bank by closing larger number of the Islamic movement's charities.
Israeli authorities including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have approved the plan to target Hamas civilian infrastructure. Barak recently signed an order banning the activities of 36 world charity associations in Israel.
Israel has allegedly said that these fund raising and charity associations acting in the West Bank 'are part of Hamas fund-raising network, and both support and assist Hamas movement.' 'The Israeli occupation has a programmed plan to uproot Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank,' Barhoum said, adding 'the decision is immoral and inhuman crime against the Palestinian society.'