GAZA CITY, Gaza — The Israeli arrests of more than 250 people in the West Bank has sparked protest among Palestinian leaders.
Hisham Abdel-Razeq, Palestinian minister of political prisoners affairs, said Wednesday the sweeps have targeted not only militants, but civilians.
The Israeli Army said earlier this week it intends to carry out widespread arrest campaigns to search for Palestinian militants.
But Abdel-Razeq called the move "illegal and inhumane," adding, "This is just a vengeful and provocative campaign."
Palestinian sources have acknowledged 70 of the 250 arrested were members of the Islamic resistance group Hamas but questioned why a large number of minors and university students were detained.
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