HEBRON, West Bank (AP) — The Palestinian militant Hamas group says Israeli soldiers have arrested one of its lawmakers in the West Bank.
A Hamas official says Hathem Qufishe was arrested early Monday at his home in the city of Hebron. The official, Mushir al-Masri, says Israel is trying to “quash the legitimate representatives” of the Palestinian people.
The Israeli military had no comment on the arrest.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007, creating dueling governments in Gaza and in the West Bank, which is controlled by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Qufishe was recently released from an Israeli prison after more than three years. He was among dozens of Hamas officials arrested after Hamas-affiliated militants captured Israeli soldier Sgt. Gilad Schalit in June 2006.
