A high-ranking officer in the Hamas terrorist organization was arrested by Israel in the wee hours of Wednesday by Shin Bet intelligence agents and IDF soldiers.
Sheikh Hussein Abu Kweik, 50, was captured at his home in the Palestinian Authority capital city of Ramallah, in Samaria. Abu Kweik is a high-ranking member of the Hamas Central Elections Commission.
He was detained “for his involvement in security-related activities that present a threat to security in the area, and for suspected incitement,” according to a statement by the Shin Bet intelligence agency.
Nine other Hamas members were also arrested in the operation, according to the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency.
Gaza-based Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zukhri condemned the arrested in a news release sent to media.
Hamas alleges Israel is trying to influence the election campaign for Palestinian Authority leadership. The terror group has exerted great control over the universities in Judea and Samaria and is expected to win in many areas in the upcoming municipal polls.
The election is slated to be held in October.
