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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Hamas releases ordered by court | Hamas releases ordered by court |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An Israeli military court has ordered the release of a number of detained Hamas officials and MPs. | An Israeli military court has ordered the release of a number of detained Hamas officials and MPs. |
| However, the men will remain behind bars for at least 48 hours pending an appeal by the Israeli military authorities against the court's ruling. | However, the men will remain behind bars for at least 48 hours pending an appeal by the Israeli military authorities against the court's ruling. |
| Israel arrested dozens of Hamas members following the capture of a soldier by Palestinian militants in late June. | Israel arrested dozens of Hamas members following the capture of a soldier by Palestinian militants in late June. |
| Hamas, which leads the Palestinian government, is illegal in Israel and regarded as a terrorist organisation. | Hamas, which leads the Palestinian government, is illegal in Israel and regarded as a terrorist organisation. |
| In one case, an Israeli court charged the speaker of the Palestinian parliament, Abdel Aziz Dweik, with being a member of the militant group Hamas. | In one case, an Israeli court charged the speaker of the Palestinian parliament, Abdel Aziz Dweik, with being a member of the militant group Hamas. |
| Trials to continue | Trials to continue |
| The Associated Press has reported that the military court ordered that 18 Hamas members, including ministers in the current Hamas-led government and MPs, should be freed on bail while their trials continue. | The Associated Press has reported that the military court ordered that 18 Hamas members, including ministers in the current Hamas-led government and MPs, should be freed on bail while their trials continue. |
| Palestinian officials have said the detentions were illegal and demanded the freedom of the Hamas politicians. | Palestinian officials have said the detentions were illegal and demanded the freedom of the Hamas politicians. |
| Palestinians say the Hamas officials are being used by Israel as bargaining chips in their efforts to secure the release of the Israeli soldier. | Palestinians say the Hamas officials are being used by Israel as bargaining chips in their efforts to secure the release of the Israeli soldier. |
| Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has again urged Israel to release the detained officials. He said they should all be freed before the formation of the Palestinian national unity government expected soon. |