Israel hands over wanted Palestinians to PA

The Israeli occupation authorities have handed over two Palestinians wanted by the Palestinian Authority following their capture inside Israel, local media reported on Wednesday. The two were among the people who took part in the public reception for a Palestinian from Bethlehem after he was freed from an Israeli prison.

Palestinian reports said that the PA security services attacked and dispersed the gathering before confiscating Hamas and other Palestinian factions’ flags. Both of the men were holding Hamas flags at the time and they fled when the security services made their attack.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the men left the occupied West Bank and entered Israel before they were detained by the occupation forces for entering the country illegally. They were handed over to the PA on Tuesday. Kan pointed out that while Israel hands over suspects wanted by the PA from time to time, such steps are usually taken quietly.

The PA has started to prevent the organisation of public receptions for Palestinians freed from Israeli jails and has banned any gatherings of Palestinian factions apart from Fatah, which controls the PA. Dozens of activists from other factions have been arrested across the occupied West Bank.

READ: Israel forces kill 3, including 2 PA security officers in Jenin