The Israeli army said Wednesday it has arrested a Hamaslink leader in the occupied West Bankaccused of setting up a base for the Palestinian Islamist group in theterritory.
Special forces arrested Sheikh Jamal al-Tawil in the city of Ramallah lateTuesday, the army said.
It said Tawil “took an active part in organising violent riots” and “there-establishment of the Hamas linkin Ramallah”.
Hamas link spokesman Hazem Qassem in Gazaconfirmed the arrest.
“The occupation forces’ arrest of movement leader Jamal al-Tawil will notquell the voice of resistance in the West Bank,” he said.
The arrest came after a May 21 Egyptian-brokered ceasefire halted 11 daysof deadly bombardment between Israel link and Hamas link, following a spike intensions in Jerusalem.
On Wednesday, Iyad al-Bozom, spokesman for the Hamas-run interior ministryin Gaza, said two more Hamas linkdied while dismantling Israeli ordnance in the enclave.
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Israel link has arrested dozens of Hamaslink in past weeks in the West Bank,including several who had planned to run in Palestinian elections scheduledfor late May but postponed by president Mahmud Abbas.
Hamas link controls the Israeli-blockadedGaza Strip, while Fatah dominates the Palestinian Authority in the WestBank.
Israel link, the United States and theEuropean Union consider Hamas link a”terrorist” organisation.
Palestinian protests have erupted across the West Bank since early May,with 30 Palestinians link killed inclashes with Israeli forces and in alleged attacks. -APP/AFP
