Israel orders Hamas-linked shopping mall closed

NABLUS, West Bank (AFP) — The Israeli army on Tuesday ordered the closure of a shopping mall in the West Bank, saying the company that runs it is linked to Hamas, Palestinian security officials and witnesses said.

Computers, furniture and documents were seized in the pre-dawn raid on Al-I'itiman Investment Co in the city of Nablus's only mall, with soldiers posting a closure notice.

After August 15, anyone running a store in the five-storey mall which has dozens of shops "could face five years in jail," the order reads.

A military spokesman said the army was acting "against charitable organisations acting on behalf of Hamas."

He charged that the organisations sought to strengthen the Islamist movement, "to encourage terrorist attacks against Israel," and "to give financial support to terrorism infrastructure."

Directors of Al-I'itiman were not available for comment on the accusations.

Nablus mayor ...