G8: Israeli arrest of Hamas raises concerns

Group of Eight industrialized countries calls on Israel to show restraint in Gaza, say diplomacy continuing to secure release of an kidnapped Israeli soldier

News Agencies|Last update: 06.29.06 , 19:12

The Group of Eight industrialized countries said on Thursday the Israeli arrest of officials from the ruling Hamas party raised "particular concerns."

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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other G8 foreign ministers called on Israel to show restraint in Gaza and said that diplomacy was continuing to secure the release of an Israeli soldier, who was captured on Sunday.

"We call on Israel to exercise utmost restraint in the current crisis," G8 foreign ministers said in a joint statement. "The detention of elected members of the Palestinian government and legislature raises particular concerns."

Foreign Ministers in Moscow (Photo: Reuters)

Russia's foreign minister said he and his group of eight counterparts were "united" Thursday in their demand that the Israeli soldier held by Palestinian terrorists be released.

"We are united in the demand to free him as quickly as possible," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference at a Moscow meeting of top diplomats from the world's most industrialized nations.

The foreign ministers also called on the Israelis and Palestinians to do everything possible to calm the ongoing crisis as Israeli forces pressed their military campaign in Gaza to win the release of the Israeli soldier held by Hamas gunmen.

"We confirmed our support for the 'Quartet'... and called on the parties to take all the necessary steps to calm the situation," Lavrov said, referring to the group of Middle East peace mediators - Russia, the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union.

Rice: Reasonable Palestinians involved in efforts

"With restraint, perhaps we can get back to a place where there can be hope for a peaceful resolution," Rice said during a news conference attended by the eight top diplomats along with representatives of the European Union and other groups.

Rice said "Reasonable Palestinians are also involved in efforts" To win the Israeli soldier's release. Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit was captured during a raid on a military outpost near the Gaza border early Sunday, sparking the latest crisis between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israeli authorities, meanwhile, have detained seven cabinet ministers and 20 lawmakers from Hamas in a clear attempt to use them as bargaining chips to win the soldier's release.

Israeli diplomats said Thursday that the arrest of Hamas members is in compliance with war laws applied in the United States and Europe.

"It is a criminal procedure. Until now Israel avoided arresting Hamas members because we wanted to give Mahmoud Abbas a chance to fight terror, but the latest incident changed Israel's position," the officials said.

Israeli troops rounded up dozens of ministers and lawmakers from the Palestinians' ruling Hamas party

Thursday while forging ahead with a military campaign in Gaza.

On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes buzzed the summer residence of President Bashar Assad of Syria, where Hamas' top political leader Khaled Mashaal lives.

The operations are meant to step up the pressure on Palestinian militants holding the Israeli soldier after Israel refused to negotiate a swap of the soldier for Palestinian prisoners, who are estimated to number about 8,000.