Israelis 'free Hamas deputy PM'

[Englander]

An Israeli military court has ordered the release of the Palestinian deputy prime minister because of a lack of evidence against him, his lawyer says.

Nasser al-Shaer was detained six weeks ago during a crackdown on the ruling Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

Israeli officials have not confirmed the release and said they were checking the lawyer's comments.

Mr Shaer was not at home when troops detained dozens of Hamas legislators, in June, but was seized later.

He would be the most senior Hamas official to be released since the arrests, which came after Hamas's armed wing claimed joint responsibility for the capture of an Israeli soldier near the Gaza Strip in June.

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BBC News