Israeli forces abducted eight Palestinian Cabinet Ministers and at least 20 Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members from the West Bank soon after midnight Wednesday. None of the men were presented with any charges.

Jerusalem

Israeli forces seized early on Thursday morning the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Khaled Abu Arafa and PLC members Muhammad Abu Tir, Muhammad Attoun and Wael Al- Husseini after the Israeli forces broke into their homes in Jerusalem.

Ramallah

Israeli forces besieged the Gemzo Suites Hotel in Ramallah and abducted five Palestinian cabinet ministers staying there: the Minister of Finance, Dr. Omar Abdel-Razeq, the Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, Wasfi Qabha and the Minister of Local Governance, Issa Al-Ja'abari.

Israeli forces raided the city of Ramallah soon after midnight from several directions. Dozens of Israeli military vehicles entered the city and armoured vehicles patrolled around several districts of the city.

Israeli troops surrounded the Gemzo Suites Hotel and, using loudspeakers, they demanded the Palestinian government officials to evacuate the hotel.

The Minister of Labour, Mohammad Al-Barghouthi, was also seized when Israeli forces launched an inspection campaign and set up several military roadblocks around the village of Bir Zeit, north of Ramallah. Al-Barghouthi was detained at a temporary Israeli military barrier close to Birzeit University.

The Ma'an correspondent reported that the Israeli forces stopped Al-Barghouthi's car at the aforementioned barrier as he was traveling home to Kobar, a village northwest of Bir Zeit. Al- Barghouthi had just completed a televised interview in Ramallah.

Bethlehem

Israeli forces kidnapped two PLC Hamas members, Mahmoud Al-Khatib and Anwar Zaboun, after they broke into Al-Khatib's house in Aida refugee camp and Zaboun's house in Beit Sahour. The Israeli forces also took hostage two top Islamic clerics in Bethlehem, the Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Majid Atta, and Sheikh Karim Ayyad from Deheisheh refugee camp.

Qalqiliya

Israeli forces abducted early on Thursday the mayor of Qalqiliya, Sheikh Wajih Qawwas, and his deputy, Hashem Al-Masri, after they besieged and broke into their homes in the city. Sheikh Wajih Qawwas, who is affiliated with Hamas, was released from an Israeli prison only a few weeks ago.

The Israeli forces stormed Qalqiliya from several directions and stationed troops in several districts of the city.

They also seized PLC member Imad Nofal after breaking into and searching his house.

Hebron

Israeli forces kidnapped two Palestinian cabinet ministers and six PLC members (all members of Hamas' "Reform and Change" party) in the Hebron area. In addition, twelve Palestinian citizens were seized.

Palestinian sources reported that the Israeli forces raided Dura, a town southwest of Hebron, and kidnapped the Palestinian Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs, Sheikh Nayef Rajoub.

They also kidnapped the PLC members Khalil Raba'i from Yatta, a town south of Hebron, Bassem Az Za'arir from As Samu, a town south of Yatta, Muhammad At Tal from Adh Dhahiriya, west of As Samu, Mohammad Bader from Hebron city, Samir Al-Qadi from Surif, north of Hebron and Mohammad Abu Jehaisha.

One Palestinian citizen was also seized in Hebron city, eight in Dura, one in Surif and two in Sa'ir, north of Hebron.

Tulkarem

Israeli forces abducted two PLC members in Tulkarem, Riad Raddad and Fathi Qara'awi, after they broke into their houses. Rami Suleiman and Amir Zidan, allegedly Hamas activists, were also seized.

Jenin

Israeli forces kidnapped PLC members Khalid As Sa'id, Khalid Suleiman and Ibrahim Dahbour. Hamas spokesman in Jenin, Khalid Al-Haj and the mayor of Jenin, Hatem Jarrar, were also kidnapped. Four citizens, allegedly part of the Hamas movement, were also seized.

Nablus

Israeli forces abducted three PLC Hamas members in Nablus, Sheikh Yasser Mansour, 36, Sheikh Riad Ali, 46, and Husni Al-Burini, 48, in addition to the Hamas spokesman for the West Bank, Sheikh Adnan Asfour, 40, and his brother, Iyad.

Palestinian sources added that Israeli forces also broke into the house of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Haj Ali, 60, in Ein Beit Al Ma refugee camp in the northwest of Nablus but they did not find him there.

Two Palestinians were also seized in Balata refugee camp in the east of Nablus.

Salfit

Israeli forces abducted early on Thursday PLC member Nasser Abdel-Jawwad and his office manager Ibrahim Mardi after dozens of Israeli military vehicles raided Deir Ballut, a town west of Salfit and near the Green Line.

Israeli forces also raided Salfit and kidnapped Sa'ada Abu Mardi, PLC office manager in Salfit.

Israeli government to continue arresting Hamas members

Israel claims that the abduction of the Palestinian governmental officials "is a legal criminal procedure … i.e. those arrested will be entitled to legal defense" because "Israel's change of policy vis-à-vis ministers and legislators who are members and activists in Hamas was carried out in coordination and with the approval of the [Israeli] judicial system". The Israeli government also said on Thursday that "Israel intends to continue with the arrest of additional members of Hamas".

Source: Maan News Agency