Israel charges 10 Palestinians with transferring large sums to jailed militants

Palestinians accused of funding jailed militants

JERUSALEM — Israel says it has arrested 10 Palestinians accused of transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars from Gaza militant groups to Palestinians serving time in Israeli prisons.

The Shin Bet security service says those detained include an east Jerusalem lawyer trying to enter Israel with more than $100,000 in cash from the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups.

Shin Bet has not given a specific figure but says millions of shekels have made their way into accounts of prisoners accused of security offenses, including deadly attacks on Israelis.

The arrests occurred in April and May but have been subject to a gag order until Monday, when four suspects were indicted in a Jerusalem court. They’re charged with money laundering and violating terrorism and tax laws.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The Israeli military say it plans to further ease movement restrictions on West Bank Palestinians.

Israel has in recent months made it easier for Palestinians to travel in the West Bank.

Monday’s announcement signaled another step in that direction. It comes as Israeli and Palestinian leaders are holding indirect peace negotiations through a U.S. mediator.

The military says it plans to open two West Bank roads to Palestinian motorists, remove 60 unmanned roadblocks and ease access of foreign tourists to the biblical city of Bethlehem.

After the outbreak of fighting with the Palestinians in 2000, Israel severely restricted Palestinian movement with hundreds of obstacles, checkpoints and its West Bank separation barrier.