Israel shuts down Hamas charities

Israel shut down charities with ties to Hamas across the West Bank yesterday as it widened an offensive against Palestinian militants.

In a new phase of its offensive, Israel closed down 15 offices across the West Bank, including those of charities linked to local mosques. Israel said the offices were used to distribute money to the families of suicide bombers and militants jailed by Israel.

In one raid, Israeli troops took computers and documents from the Tulkarem office of Zaka, a charity network that has been linked to Hamas and collects donations from mosques.