RAMALLAH, Dec. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli army arrested on Monday seven members of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas),including candidates for the January parliamentary elections amid an arrest campaign in the West Bank, Palestinian security sources and witnesses reported.

    Around 30 Israeli army vehicles stormed the northern West Bankcity Jenin Monday morning and detained three Hamas members, one intending to run in the legislative elections due on Jan. 25, 2006,and the other two to stand in the fourth round of municipal elections on Dec. 14, security sources and witnesses said.

    Israeli soldiers raided other towns and villages in the West Bank and arrested four other Hamas members, security sources said. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the Israeli campaign against Hamas candidates, accusing Israel of trying to disturb the elections.

    Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered Israeli army to resume targeted killings of Palestinian militants following renewed militant rocket fire in the Gaza Strip over the weekend.

    Hamas, a radical Islamic group sworn to Israel's destruction,put up a strong showing in the previous three rounds of localelections and with a surging street popularity, is poised to present itself as a tough challenger to the ruling Fatah movementled by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the upcoming legislative elections. Enditem