Israeli government released 430 Palestinian political prisoners

Monday December 03, 2007 13:51 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Israeli government released 430 Palestinian political detainees at midday on Monday, according to Palestinian sources in the central West Bank city of Ramallah.

Convoy of Palestinian prisoners released Today, (Photo: Ghassan-Bannoura-IMEMC)

Of those released, 21 are from the Gaza strip and 409 are from various parts of the West Bank. Palestinian sources confirmed today that all those freed are members of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.

In a phone call with IMEMC, sources at the Palestinian presidents' headquarters stated that the prisoners had arrived at the compound where they are being welcomed by Palestinian officials and family members. They will be then transported by busses to their home cities.

At the Ertz crossing located on the Israeli-Gazan border, thousands of people have gathered since Monday morning to welcome the 21 released prisoners. 

The Israeli government had decided to release the prisoners as part of a good will gesture before last weeks Mideast summit held in Annapolis, Maryland on Monday. Israeli sources said that the release had been scheduled for Sunday, but was delayed at the Palestinian Authority's request.

The Fatah Secretary General for the West Bank, Marwan Al Barghouthi who is also is being held by Israel, considered the gesture a joke as most of those released were due to end their prison sentences in a few months anyway.

In addition to this 'goodwill' gesture the Israeli military kidnapped at least 42 Palestinians in different parts of the West Bank on Monday at dawn. 12 were abducted in Ramallah, 10 in Bethlehem, 15 in Hebron and the rest from various other areas in the West Bank.

 According to Israeli media, the release of the prisoners was also aimed at strengthening the position of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas following his agreement with Israeli premier Ehod Olmert at last week's U.S.-sponsored Mideast conference, to try to reach a peace deal by the end of 2008.

The latest figures show that Israel is still holding more than 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners. Since the beginning of year 2007 Israel has kidnapped at least 2,476.

Since July 2007 Israeli had released 770 political detainees, most of which had already served their time before the release.

palestine | prisoners | news report ghassanb at imemc dot org