Skip to main content

Hamas fears Israel will deport its leaders

Hamas leaders are also concerned that Israel will launch a military campaign if the kidnapped boys are not found.
Israeli soldiers block a side entrance into the West Bank City of Hebron during an operation to locate three Israeli teens June 17, 2014. Israel decided on Tuesday to widen a crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank after troops detained more than 40 members of the Palestinian Islamist group in sweeps conducted in tandem with a search for the three missing Jewish teenagers. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - RTR3UAVZ
Read in 

It was clear that Israel accusing Hamas of kidnapping the three teenagers in Hebron on June 12 would open a new page in the conflict between the two, even without Hamas claiming responsibility for the act.

Israelis made threats against Hamas and started a widespread arrest campaign netting more than 200 Hamas members, of different levels, in the West Bank. Those arrested include members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, former ministers, university professors, along with field operatives and more than 50 former Palestinian prisoners who were recently released in the prisoner exchange deal with Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.