Israel has revoked the Jerusalem residency of four Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) officials, including a cabinet minister and three lawmakers, after they refused to meet Israeli demands to quit the ruling group, official sources said on Friday.

They, however, denied that withdrawing the residencies of the Hamas officials was related to an ongoing operation to rescue an Israeli soldier snatched by Palestinian militants on Sunday.

The decision had nothing to do with Israel's efforts to increase pressure on Hamas in order to secure the release of the abducted Gilad Shalit, said an Interior Ministry spokeswoman.

On May 29, Israel gave the four officials 30 days to quit the group or resign their seats, warning them to face expulsion from east Jerusalem if they failed to meet the conditions.

The four facing expulsion are Jerusalem affairs minister Khaled Abu Arafeh and lawmakers Mohammed Abu Teir, Ahmed Attun and Mohammed Totah.

At least one of the lawmakers was among dozens arrested in a swift raid carried out by Israel forces in the West Bank on Thursday, according to the official sources.

Source: Xinhua