Israel Re-arrests Hamas Lawmaker in West Bank
he Israeli army on Monday rearrested Hamas lawmaker Mohammed Jamal al-Natsh, just months after he was released from prison, Palestinian security officials said.
Natsh, 53, was arrested in the southern West Bank town of Hebron, five months after being released from prison. He spent eight years in detention, Palestinian officials said, during which time he ran successfully for office.
The Israeli military confirmed it had arrested some Palestinians in Hebron, but had no details on who it had detained or why.
Israel has in recent months begun re-arresting dozens of Hamas lawmakers who were first detained in 2006, after Gaza militants seized Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Shalit remains captive somewhere in Gaza, and Hamas has demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return for freeing him.
In total, Israel arrested 64 Hamas members after Shalit's capture on June 25, 2006.
Talks between Hamas and Israel over Shalit, mediated by Egypt and Germany, ground to a halt in late 2009.
Israel and Hamas blame each other for failing to reach a deal.
Source: Agence France Presse
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