Agency arrests 40 Islamists

Israel's internal security service says it arrested 40 Hamas operatives working to expand the militant Islamic group's reach in the West Bank.

The Shin Bet said the operatives were working to enlarge Hamas' infrastructure in the territory and establish areas where they could yield influence, such as charity work and education.

The agency said that the Hamas operation was partly financed by gold, which was smuggled into the West Bank from neighbouring Jordan.