Published Thursday 09/06/2011 (updated) 10/06/2011 11:57
NABLUS (Ma’an) -- Israel's Ofer military court extended the detention of Fatah leader Hussam Khader by 72 hours on Thursday, Palestinian Authority Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Qaraqe said.
Khader is a long-time proponent of reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, and was taken from his home at 2 a.m. on Thursday one week ago.
Witnesses said 50 Israeli military jeeps arrived in the Balata refugee camp, surrounded the home and searched its contents before taking Khader to an unknown location.
At the time, Tayseer Nasrallah, member of the Palestinian National Council, said Khader's arrest was an attempt by Israel to disrupt the Palestinian reconciliation process.
Delegates from Hamas and Fatah continue to meet following the May 4 signing of an Egyptian-brokered unity deal that created the framework for the appointment of a single government in control of the West Bank and Gaza. The announcement of the composition of the government is expected on Monday.
(This version CORRECTS that the detention of Hussam Khader was extended by 72 hours, not six months.)
