( CNN ) -- Hundreds of Palestinian security reinforcements were awaiting orders Saturday as part of a joint Israeli-Palestinian operation in the West Bank town of Hebron , officials said . Palestinian security officers assemble Saturday in the West Bank town of Hebron . The Palestinian militant organization Hamas quickly condemned the move , which is evidence of a growing cooperation between Israel Defense Forces and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank . The 550 reinforcements , composed of members of the Palestinian Authority 's National and Presidential guards , entered Hebron as part of a security crackdown aimed at establishing order and confiscating illegal weapons , Mayor Khaled al-Aseyli said . The U.S. State Department 's Bureau of Diplomatic Security has trained portions of the Presidential Guard over the last year . Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the guards are targeting Hamas militants in the West Bank . He said Hamas condemns the operation , as well as the coordination between Israeli and Palestinian forces . Israel is rewarding the Palestinian Authority for its work in detaining militants , Barhoum said . Though Hamas ' power base is anchored in Gaza , there are remnants of the Hamas infrastructure in the West Bank , where the rival Fatah party 's Palestinian Authority holds sway . On Wednesday , two Israeli brigadier generals met with Palestinian security officials at the IDF West Bank headquarters , according to an IDF statement . `` The two sides discussed the Palestinian request to conduct an extensive enforcement operation against law breakers and rioters in the Hebron area , '' the statement said . `` During the meeting , the plan for the enforcement operation was presented and the process of coordination during the operation was agreed upon . '' The statement further said the meeting was held in a `` positive atmosphere '' and the two sides would convene soon to continue their dialogue on security matters . Hebron is the third city in the West Bank to be reinforced with Palestinian Authority forces . Forces converged on Jenin and Nablus earlier this year , West Bank security sources said . In the last two months , the IDF has removed at least 20 of its roadblocks in Hebron . The IDF said it has removed scores of roadblocks and opened major crossings in the West Bank , allowing `` the free movement of the Palestinian population . '' Journalist Talal Abu Rahme in Gaza City contributed to this report .
Reinforcements enter Hebron as part of security crackdown . Hamas condemns Fatah collaboration with Israel Defense Forces . Crackdown meant to bring order , confiscate illegal weapons , mayor says . IDF has been removing roadblocks throughout West Bank .