Israel claims Hamas has women activists in Hebron
Israeli security forces say they have evidence that Hamas has recruited women to a cell in Hebron, though political analysts believe it's very unlikely that Hamas would involve women in military actions in the West Bank.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Israeli Security Agency says it has dismantled a Hamas cell, made up mostly of women, in Hebron in the southern West Bank.
The agency said Aug. 28 that over the previous few weeks it had arrested seven women it claims were recruiting members and coordinating events in mosques, working to expand Hamas' popular base and spreading incitement on social media websites. The cell, the agency said, also had been helping prisoners' families, trying to influence municipal affairs in Hebron, running charitable institutions and reaching out to foreign institutions for funding and aid to Gaza and to finance military activities. The cell included a number of men who were also arrested the week before.
Some of the cell's members were taken before the Yehuda military court and charged with being active members of an illegal organization.
Hamas administers the Gaza Strip. Some observers rule out the idea that Hamas would involve women in its political and military activities in the West Bank, which is controlled by its rival, Fatah.
