Israeli military court orders release of top Hamas official

RAMALLAH: An Israeli military judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Palestinian deputy prime minister Nasseredine al-Shaer, who was detained as part of a crackdown on the ruling Islamist Hamas movement, his attorney said.

The judge ordered Shaer released because of "lack of evidence" and charges against him, his attorney, Ussam al-Saadi said.

Shaer, who was detained on August 19, is the most senior Hamas official to be released since the Jewish state launched a crackdown on the hardline movement after its armed wing claimed joint responsibility for the capture of a soldier near the Gaza Strip in late June.