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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Israel frees jailed Palestinians | Israel frees jailed Palestinians |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Israel has released 198 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 Emotional toll of prisoners issue | When Israel frees prisoners to weak elements without demanding anything in return, they remain weak Shaul MofazIsraeli transport minister Emotional toll of prisoners issue |
| They were transported to Beituniya checkpoint near Ramallah, where they were greeted with cheers and applause. | |
| They then boarded Palestinian buses for the short journey to Mr Abbas's presidential compound for an official celebration. | |
| Palestinian Prison Affairs Minister Ashraf al-Ajrami said their reception would be like a "national wedding". | |
| 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: | |