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| Israel frees jailed Palestinians | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Israel has released nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners in what it calls a goodwill gesture to bolster Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. | |
| They include two convicted killers of Israelis who have been in detention since 1977 and 1979 and who are among the longest-serving inmates. | |
| The release coincides with a visit to the region by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. | The release coincides with a visit to the region by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. |
| Washington aims to achieve a Middle East peace deal by the year's end. | |
| Reaching that target looks increasingly unlikely, as relations between Israel and the Palestinians have been strained in recent months, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool reports from Ramallah. | |
| Palestinians have been unhappy at illegal Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. | Palestinians have been unhappy at illegal Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. |
| On a previous visit, Ms Rice criticised the policy. | On a previous visit, Ms Rice criticised the policy. |
| Rare release | |
| The prisoners underwent routine medical examinations on Sunday and met Red Cross representatives, prison officials said. | The prisoners underwent routine medical examinations on Sunday and met Red Cross representatives, prison officials said. |
| When Israel frees prisoners to weak elements without demanding anything in return, they remain weak Shaul MofazIsraeli transport minister class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7575080.stm">Emotional toll of prisoners issue | |
| They were freed at the Beituniya checkpoint near Ramallah, from which they were to be taken to Mr Abbas's presidential compound for an official celebration, said Palestinian Prison Affairs Minister Ashraf al-Ajrami. | |
| "Our reception of the prisoners tomorrow will be like a national wedding," he was quoted as saying by AFP news agency on Sunday. | "Our reception of the prisoners tomorrow will be like a national wedding," he was quoted as saying by AFP news agency on Sunday. |
| Correspondents say it is rare for Israel to free convicted killers of its citizens. | Correspondents say it is rare for Israel to free convicted killers of its citizens. |
| Said al-Attaba, 56, was jailed in 1977 for killing an Israeli woman and Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Ali, 51, was imprisoned in 1979 for killing an Israeli reservist. | Said al-Attaba, 56, was jailed in 1977 for killing an Israeli woman and Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Ali, 51, was imprisoned in 1979 for killing an Israeli reservist. |
| Shaul Mofaz, one of the contenders to succeed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert when he steps down next month, condemned the release. | Shaul Mofaz, one of the contenders to succeed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert when he steps down next month, condemned the release. |
| "When Israel frees prisoners to weak elements without demanding anything in return, they remain weak," he said. | "When Israel frees prisoners to weak elements without demanding anything in return, they remain weak," he said. |
| "This is a decision conveying weakness and an acceptance of the existing situation," the Israeli politician said. | "This is a decision conveying weakness and an acceptance of the existing situation," the Israeli politician said. |
Do you support the Israeli move? Are you one of the Palestinians released by Israel? Send your comment using the form below: | |