ISRAELI border police briefly detained a Hamas Cabinet minister yesterday, the first time Israel took into custody a member of the Hamas government since the Islamic militants took power last week.

Israeli border police briefly detained a cabinet minister from Hamas today, the first time Israel took into custody a member of the Hamas government since the Islamic militants took power last week.

Israeli police today arrested a minister in the Palestinians' new Hamas government, Hamas officials said.

Two Palestinians have been charged in connection with the murder of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi.