West Bank, Sept 13 (ZEENEWS.COM) An Israeli military court on Tuesday ordered the release of 18 imprisoned Hamas lawmakers, including three cabinet ministers, and raised questions about the army`s case.

The men will remain behind bars for at least two more days pending an appeal. Still, the order was a rare setback for military prosecutors, whose arguments are usually upheld by the court.

The Israeli army arrested more than two dozen Hamas lawmakers after militants in Gaza linked to the group attacked a military post in June and captured an Israeli soldier.

In his decision, the military judge questioned the timing of the arrests, noting that the men were permitted to run for office and serve in the Palestinian government for months before their detentions. He said the politicians should be freed on bail while their trials continue.

Prosecutors appealed the ruling. A decision is expected Thursday.

The army had already suffered a similar setback earlier this week, when the court ordered the release of three other Hamas members. That appeal is set to be heard tomorrow.

The legal proceedings today focused solely on whether the army could continue to hold the men. But the judge raised troubling questions about the larger case against the Hamas politicians.

Seven Hamas politicians attended today`s court session, with most dressed in brown prison garb and their legs shackled.

"We do not recognise the authority of this court. We are elected lawmakers. We have been kidnapped," shouted one of the lawmakers, Mahmoud al-Ramahi.