Israeli forces have seized another senior Hamas politician, drawing angry accusations from Palestinian leaders that Israel is undermining their efforts to form a unity government. Troops and agents of the Shin Bet intelligence agency grabbed Mahmoud al-Ramahi, a senior Hamas member and secretary-general of the Palestinian parliament, at his Ramallah home, a military statement said. Al-Ramahi's sister Yaqeen said the raid took place in broad daylight.
The Hamas politician had evaded capture since Israel began a crackdown on the movement following the June 25 abduction of an Israeli soldier by Hamas-linked militants who crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip then took their captive back with them. A doctor by training, al-Ramahi is the fourth-ranking member of the parliament, dealing with administrative and procedural affairs. His capture puts almost all of Hamas's West Bank leadership in Israeli custody. |