Israel and the Palestinians said Monday they have cracked down on the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, arresting at least 12 of its members following a botched raid that led to the capture of a top Hamas militant.
The Israeli army said it had arrested four Palestinians in the village of Assira Al-Shamaliya, near Nablus, during the commando raid there overnight Saturday to capture Mahmud Abu Hannud, a Hamas leader wanted for a string of attacks that have killed dozens of Israelis.
Assira Al-Shamaliya falls under so-called area B of the West Bank in which Israel maintains military, but not civilian control.
Police from Palestinian Authority also arrested eight Hamas members in West Bank zones they fully control, known as area A, a Hamas source told AFP.
Three Israeli soldiers were killed during the Saturday night raid, which is under military investigation and has been sharply criticized by the local media.
Palestinian police arrested Abu Hannud after he fled to a Nablus hospital.
Abu Hannud is to be tried by a Palestinian security court after an investigation is concluded -- NABLUS, West Bank (AFP).
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
