Hamas condemns Israeli detention of its leader

Islamic resistance movement Hamas on Thursday condemned the Israeli detention of its leader Hussein Abu Kweik.

Sami Abu Zuhir, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said in an emailed press statement that Abu Kweik is the movement's representative in the joint committee to prepare for the Palestinian municipal elections scheduled to be held on Oct. 8.

Israel has placed him on a six-month administrative detention.

"Hamas condemns the arrest and the detention of Hussein Abu Kweik and sending him to six-month administrative detention," said Abu Zuhri. "This is a clear and direct Israeli interference into the Palestinian elections."

Two weeks ago, the Israeli army arrested Abu Kweik from his home in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Hamas leaders warned that the ongoing arrests may oblige the movement to withdraw from the municipal elections.

The spokesperson said that Hamas leaders and supporters are not only facing detention and repression by the Israelis, but also by the "security apparatuses" of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Abu Zuhri accused both Israel and the PNA of trying to prevent Hamas from practicing its role in the elections.

The cabinet of the Palestinian consensus government decided in May to hold municipal elections Oct. 8 in all Palestinian territories for the first time since 2005.

Municipal elections were only held in the West Bank in 2011, where Hamas boycotted. The previous elections in Gaza Strip was in 2005. Endit