IDF arrests over 60 Hamas officials.

In an unprecedented operation, the IDF arrested overnight Wednesday over 60 senior Hamas members throughout the West Bank, including ministers in the Palestinian Authority parliament. Detainees included such senior figures as Finance Minister Omar Abdel Azek, Labor Minister Mohammed Barghouti, and parliament member Mohammed Abu Teir.

PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh convened an emergency meeting of government members in Gaza early Thursday morning. An unofficial response said that, “Israel is targeting Hamas’ political wing, which wasn’t involved in the kidnapping [of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit].”

“Israel is heading in the wrong direction, and will pay for it,” the response continued.