Israeli army detains 25 Palestinians in the West Bank

Sunday December 16, 2007 15:02 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC&Agencies

Israeli army took prisoners on Sunday 25 Palestinians from various parts of the West Bank, Palestinian security officials said.

Among those nabbed, lawmaker and senior member of Hamas , Ahmad Ali aL-Haj, a former deputy-cabinet minister and two municipality members, confirmed the officials.

According to local sources, the Israeli army arrest campaigns were focused in the West Bank city of Nablus.

Such an Israeli crackdown on Hamas, came one day after the Hamas movement celebrated in Gaza its 20th birthday, and after the Palestinian security forces of Palestinian President Abbas arrested earlier 26 Palestinians in the West Bank, involving Hamas supporters.

The West Bank-based government of President Abbas, outlawed Hamas in June, after the Islamist group took over the coastal region amidst power struggle with Fatah.

Acting-speaker of Palestinian parliament, Ahmad Bahhar of Hamas, said on Sunday that the total number of detained Hamas parliamentarians mounted to 46, since Israel boycotted Hamas after last January's elections, which Hamas won overwhelmingly.

Israel currently holds more than 11.000 Palestinains in its jails, 430 of them were released early this month, none linked to Hamas, which refuses to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept past signed agreements.

west bank | israeli attacks | news report rami at imemc dot org