Israeli forces have rearrested a Hamas legislator, Azzam Salhab, outside the occupied southern West Bank town of al-Khalil (Hebron).

Salhab, 54, who was released from prison five months ago, was once again arrested along with some other legislators on Wednesday while passing through an Israeli checkpoint on the road between Ramallah and al-Khalil, AFP quoted Palestinian security officials as saying on Thursday.

The other legislators were released later on, while Salhab was transferred to Etzion detention center, north of al-Khalil. This is the third time that Salhab is being arrested.

But Israeli military said they had no record of his previous arrest.

Salhab is not the only one to be rearrested by Israeli forces. Dozens of the 64 Hamas lawmakers and members Israel detained in 2006 have been rearrested in recent months.

Israel started arresting Hamas lawmakers in 2006 after the arrest of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He is in Hamas custody since then.

Shalit was captured in June 2006 by Palestinian fighters after he had infiltrated into the Gaza Strip. Hamas has requested the release of some 1,400 Palestinians held without charge in Israeli jails, in exchange for the Israeli soldier.

Hamas has said that an agreement on the release of Israeli soldier is possible, should Tel Aviv show serious intention in making an honorable swap deal.

But Hamas leaders had rejected an Israel offer then to exile some of the men on Hamas’ list from the country.

Talks between Hamas and Israel over Shalit, mediated by Egypt and Germany, ground to a halt in late 2009.

(Press TV)