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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Joy as 429 Palestinians released | Joy as 429 Palestinians released |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| There have been scenes of joy in the West Bank following the release of 429 Palestinian prisoners from detention inside Israel. | There have been scenes of joy in the West Bank following the release of 429 Palestinian prisoners from detention inside Israel. |
| The vast majority of the freed men were sent to the West Bank and are supporters of the Fatah group led by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. | The vast majority of the freed men were sent to the West Bank and are supporters of the Fatah group led by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. |
| Israeli officials say the move is to boost Mr Abbas in his struggle with the Hamas movement, which controls Gaza. | Israeli officials say the move is to boost Mr Abbas in his struggle with the Hamas movement, which controls Gaza. |
| There are an estimated 10,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. | There are an estimated 10,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. |
| Many have been held for years without charge or trial. | Many have been held for years without charge or trial. |
| Hundreds of cheering relatives waving Palestinian flags welcomed the first buses of former prisoners as they arrived at the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah, in the West Bank. | Hundreds of cheering relatives waving Palestinian flags welcomed the first buses of former prisoners as they arrived at the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah, in the West Bank. |
| Delayed release | Delayed release |
| More than 700 prisoners have been set free since July. | More than 700 prisoners have been set free since July. |
| Today's release of Palestinian prisoners is aimed at reinforcing moderate Palestinian leaders Mark Regev,Israeli government spokesman In pictures: Inmates' release | |
| The first bus filled with freed prisoners left Ketziot prison in Israel's Negev desert shortly after 0400 GMT. | The first bus filled with freed prisoners left Ketziot prison in Israel's Negev desert shortly after 0400 GMT. |
| The release had been delayed from before US-sponsored talks at Annapolis last week. | The release had been delayed from before US-sponsored talks at Annapolis last week. |
| Twenty of the freed detainees will return to their homes in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, with the rest going to the West Bank, an Israeli government spokesman, Yaron Zamir, told the AFP news agency. | Twenty of the freed detainees will return to their homes in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, with the rest going to the West Bank, an Israeli government spokesman, Yaron Zamir, told the AFP news agency. |
| As in previous releases, none of those freed on Monday had been held for direct involvement in killings of Israelis. | As in previous releases, none of those freed on Monday had been held for direct involvement in killings of Israelis. |
| "Today's release of Palestinian prisoners is aimed at reinforcing moderate Palestinian leaders and at favouring political dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians," Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said. | "Today's release of Palestinian prisoners is aimed at reinforcing moderate Palestinian leaders and at favouring political dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians," Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said. |
| "We understand that it is necessary to accompany the peace process with concrete measures and the liberation of the Palestinian prisoners is a step in this direction." | "We understand that it is necessary to accompany the peace process with concrete measures and the liberation of the Palestinian prisoners is a step in this direction." |