|
|
 |
| Sunday, 21 April 2002 |
 |
|
 |
World |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Israel says two Hamas leaders detained in Bethlehem JERUSALEM, April 19 (Reuters) - Israel said on Friday it had detained two leaders of the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas in the West Bank city of Bethlehem overnight, accusing them of involvement in suicide attacks on the Jewish state. The army said in a statement Khaled Tafesh Dweib, 36, headed Hamas in Bethlehem and was the local leader of its military wing, Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, which has claimed responsibility for several suicide attacks. "He (Dweib) was among those directing the Hamas attack policy in Bethlehem with responsibility for approving individual attacks," it said. The army named the second man as Nasri Youssef al-Zir, described as a close aide to Dweib. Hamas sources said Dweib was a political activist in charge of Bethlehem's Omar bin al-Khattab mosque and had nothing to do with the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades. They said he was among some 20 activists seized in Bethlehem and nearby villages, including a 17-year-old girl, Samia Takatka. The Bethlehem mosque is opposite the Church of the Nativity, where some 30 wanted Palestinian militants took refuge after Israeli forces entered the city on April 2. Israeli soldiers are surrounding the church where the militants are holed up along with about 200 people, including Palestinian policemen, civilians, priests and nuns. The army said on Thursday it had detained Husam Ali Badran, 35, describing him as Hamas's military chief in the northern West Bank. Palestinians said Badran was a low-level activist. 1946 190402 GMT |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
