G8 says Israeli arrest of Hamas raises concerns

MOSCOW, June 29 (Reuters) The Group of Eight industrialised countries said today the Israeli arrest of officials from the ruling Hamas party raised ''particular concerns.'' US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other G8 foreign ministers called on Israel to show restraint in Gaza and said that diplomacy was continuing to secure the release of an Israeli soldier, who was captured on Sunday.

''We call on Israel to exercise utmost restraint in the current crisis,'' G8 foreign ministers said in a joint statement. ''The detention of elected members of the Palestinian government and legislature raises particular concerns.'' REUTERS CH BD1835