Israel arrests 7 Hamas activists in West Bank

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NABLUS, West Bank (AP) — Israeli troops arrested seven Hamas activists Tuesday, including two municipal council members, in a widening crackdown on the Islamic militant group in Nablus, residents said.

The Israeli military confirmed that it arrested seven Palestinians in the city but did not elaborate.

Residents said troops seized the two Hamas city council members, a senior Hamas activist and other Palestinians known for their close ties to the group, including Hanin Darwazi, the head of a local women's organization.

Hamas, a militant Islamic group has a large, active women's section. But arrests of Hamas women are infrequent.

Tuesday's pre-dawn sweep followed the closure in Nablus last week by the Israeli military of a shopping mall, a TV station and a newspaper, all allegedly with ties to Hamas.

The raids have prompted complaints by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Israel is damaging his standing in the West Bank, where he governs. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iZDVHxeQpb-MEOgN-S2hGwKPNZfgD91UDDVG0