Israeli forces detained Palestinian lawmaker Hassan Yousef overnight Monday in a raid on his home in Ramallah, Maan News reported.
Hamas officials said Tuesday that soldiers ransacked Yousef's home in Beituniya at 3 a.m., detaining him and his son. Yousef is a leader in the Islamist movement.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denounced the arrest. "This is part of Israel's escalation against Hamas, and legitimate Palestinian leaders," he said.
Yousef left jail in August in a move which saw Israel release 770 Israeli and Palestinian detainees. He was sentenced to a six-year term for "membership of a terrorist organization," and freed after two years in jail.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the arrest Monday "due to his affiliation with Hamas."