Palestinians mark prisoners day

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Thousands of Palestinians have held rallies in the West Bank and Gaza to mark the annual Prisoners Day.

The day commemorates more that 9,000 Palestinian detainees who being held in Israeli jails.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniya described the prisoners as heroes and said that gaining their freedom was a priority for his government.

Talks are continuing on exchanging imprisoned Palestinians for a captured Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit.

He was captured in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants into Israel last June, and has been held in Gaza since last June.

"All prisoners should be released, not only those who are included in the exchange for Shalit," Mr Haniya said.

Egypt has been mediating drawn-out talks between the Israelis and Palestinians over a possible prisoner release in exchange for the release of Cpl Shalit.

Palestinians have given a list of about 450 prisoners they want released, but Israel is insisting that no one is released who has been involved in attacks on Israelis.