The Palestinian National Authority ( PNA) urged on Thursday the United States and the European Union to help release Hamas ministers and lawmakers arrested by Israel in the West Bank.

"The PNA asked the United States and the European Union to pressurize Israel to stop arresting symbols of the government, because such an act would lead to more violence," chief Palestinian negotiator Erekat told reporters.

Israel arrested some of Hamas lawmakers and ministers who are based in the West Bank. The arrest was part of Israeli military actions to press for release of an Israeli soldier who was abducted by Palestinian militants on Sunday.

Erekat called on Israel to halt "such illegal ways because it will draw the region into a war where Israel would be the biggest looser."

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Palestinian presidency Tayeb Abdel Rahim condemned the arrest campaign, saying that " Israel knows well that those officials have nothing to do with any military action, abduction or assassination."

For his part, Palestinian Legislative Council Deputy Speaker and senior Hamas official Ahmed Bahar held Israel responsible for consequences of the detention of Hamas ministers and lawmakers.

Source: Xinhua