Israeli army arrests 2 Hamas leaders in West Bank

RAMALLAH

The Israeli army arrested two Hamas leaders in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, according to eyewitnesses.

The army carried out a raid in the Ramallah province, during which clashes erupted between dozens of Palestinian youths and occupation soldiers, the witnesses said.

Israeli forces used live, rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas during the confrontations, they added.

During the raid, Israeli forces detained two former Hamas parliamentarians, Abdel-Jaber Fuqaha, and Ahmed Atoun.

Atoun is a Hamas leader from Jerusalem, whom the Israeli authorities deported from the city several years ago.

The Israeli military has yet to issue a statement on the arrests.

The Israeli army often carries out detention raids against dozens of Palestinians in the West Bank, claiming that they are wanted by Israel.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat