Israeli court extends detention of Islamic Jihad leader

By Awad al-Rujoub

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - An Israeli military court on Sunday extended the detention of Islamic Jihad leader, Bassam al-Sa'di, for a further five days, a Palestinian NGO said.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said al-Sa’di will remain in Israeli custody until Thursday.

PPS spokesman Amani Sarhana said Israeli prosecutors seek to “file an indictment against the Islamic Jihad leader.”

Al-Sa'di, 61, was detained by Israeli forces in early August during a raid in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

His detention escalated tension between the Islamic Jihad group and Israel, which launched a three-day military offensive on the Gaza Strip on Aug. 5 during which at least 49 Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured.

The offensive came to a halt under an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire.

Islamic Jihad group said Egypt has promised to work for the release of al-Sa’di and another group member, Khalil Awawdeh.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara