BEIRUT, November 15. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detained one of the leaders of the Ramallah branch of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, Hussein Abu Kweik, the Palestinian news outlet Quds reported, citing local sources.

According to the sources, Abu Kweik was arrested during a raid in the West Bank town of Al-Bireh. The Israeli military has not yet announced Abu Kweik's arrest. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have previously detained and arrested him several times for his Hamas activities.

The Al Hadath TV channel said that at least 15 female students from Hebron University were also detained during Israeli army raids in the West Bank.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 200 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.