Israel detains senior Hamas officials in West Bank arrest sweep

Israel detains senior Hamas officials in West Bank arrest sweep
Israeli security forces detained 25 members of the Hamas movement during overnight arrest raids in the occupied West Bank on Sunday.
2 min read
23 July, 2017
Deadly clashes have broken out since new Israeli security measures at the al-Aqsa mosque. [Getty]

Israeli security forces detained 25 members of the Hamas movement during overnight arrest raids in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, as violence spiralled in Jerusalem.

The arrests included "senior members" of the group as part of preventive measures in the wake of "tensions around the Temple Mount," a statement from Israel's Shin Bet security agency said.

Israel did not identify who the senior officials were, although Israeli media reported that Hamas MP Omar Abd al-Razaq was one of those detained.

The crackdown on Hamas comes following spiralling tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories following new unilateral Israeli security measures at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound last week.

Since Friday, five Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in deadly clashes as mass demonstrations took place across Jerusalem and the West Bank to protest the measures.

Three Israeli settlers were also stabbed to death in a settlement north of Ramallah by a Palestinian assailant.

Hamas praised the attack as "heroic", although the movement is not thought to be responsible. Palestinians suggest decades of Israeli occupation and oppression has prompted such attacks.

Israeli forces raided the home of the alleged attacker, Omar Alabed, overnight, with Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman saying it will be swiftly demolished as part of a longstanding punitive policy.

Meanwhile, a rocket fired at Israel from Gaza exploded mid-air causing no injuries, Israel's army said on Sunday. 

No Palestinian group has claimed responsibility.

Agencies contributed to this report.