JERUSALEM
The Israeli army detained 41 more Palestinians, most of them Hamas members, in predawn raids in the West Bank as search continued for three Jewish settlers who went missing Thursday in the south of the Palestinian territory.
Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the Israeli army, tweeted that Israeli forces had detained the 41 Palestinians from Nablus, Balata refugee camp and Awarta village.
"During the crackdown, combat equipment was found along with a weapon manufacturing facility," he said.
Adraee reiterated accusations that Hamas was behind the "kidnapping" of the settlers, saying Israel would continue striking the group.
Over the last few days, Israeli security forces have detained scores of Palestinians – including leading Hamas members, lawmakers and former government ministers – in raids conducted throughout the West Bank.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of abducting the trio, a claim Hamas has since dismissed as "stupid."
No Palestinian group has claimed responsibility for the alleged kidnapping thus far.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
www.aa.com.tr/en
