A spokesman for the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) condemned on Thursday the Israeli detention of a Hamas cabinet minister near Jerusalem.

Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement that Hamas condemned the detention of Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Khaled Abu A'rafa by Israeli police near East Jerusalem on Thursday morning.

Calling upon the Israeli police to release Abu A'rafa immediately, Abu Zuhri said that the Israeli move was aimed to pile pressures on the new Palestinian cabinet led by Hamas.

The Hamas spokesman urged the international community to press Israel to secure Abu A'rafa's freedom and stop moves against Palestinian cabinet members.

Palestinian sources in Jerusalem said that an Israeli police force stopped Abu A'rafa's car while he was on his way to East Jerusalem and arrested him and his bodyguard. The guard, who had been driving the car at the moment of detention, was released later.

The Israeli police took Abu A'rafa to a nearby police station in the Jewish settlement of Maleh Adomim, the sources added.

But the Israeli police said they had no knowledge of the reported arrest.

If confirmed, it will be the first time that Israel has arrested a Palestinian minister since the Hamas-led cabinet was sworn last week.

Also on Thursday, a senior Israeli army officer said that Israel had the legal right to target and kill Hamas leaders including Prime Minister Ismail Haneya on evidences that they were involved in anti-Israel attacks.

Hamas has called for Israel's destruction through armed resistance and refused to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and accept interim peace deals.

Source: Xinhua