Hamas says 2 political operatives detained by Israel in West Bank, one later released

Two members of Hamas who were elected to the Palestinian Authority’s largely defunct legislative council were detained east of Bethlehem in the West Bank this morning, Hamas’s Prisoner Affairs’ Office reports.

The terror group’s office says Ahmed Atoun, 57, was released a number of hours after he was taken, bound and blindfolded, from his home in Beit Sahour, east of Bethlehem, for interrogation at an Israeli military facility.

Muhammad Abu Tir, 75, remains in detention after he was taken from his home in Dar Salah, east of Bethlehem, the prisoners’ office says.

Both men were elected on a Hamas slate in the last PA legislative election in 2006, the most recent to date.

A spokesperson for Israel’s police in the West Bank does not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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