Chief of staff opposed to release of Fatah militants

Ashkenazi says release of Fatah members who are expected to return to their Gaza Strip homes 'will not bolster Abbas or Fayyad'. Sources in PM's office say gesture will show Hamas it can gain concessions only through negotiations
Ronny Sofer

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi expressed his opposition on Monday to the inclusion of 16 Fatah members from Gaza on Israel's list of prisoners who are slated for release as a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the Annapolis conference.

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However, Ashkenazi remained silent during the Cabinet meeting in which the release of 441 Palestinian prisoners, including the Fatah members, was approved. Ministers Avigdor Lieberman and Shaul Mofaz, as well as ministers from the religious Shas party, voted against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's proposal to release the prisoners.

Sources in the PM's Office said the move would not hinder efforts to free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, who is being held captive in Gaza, due to the fact that none of the prisoners slated for release are members of Hamas or groups affiliated with the Islamist group.

"This will show Hamas that only through negotiations will it be able to gain concessions," a source in Olmert's office said.

Ashkenazi explained his objection to the release of the Fatah members who hail from Gaza by saying that such a move "would not bolster Abbas or (Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad)", stressing the fact that Israel had recently declared Gaza a "hostile entity".

Ashkenazi was also opposed to the release of Palestinians prisoners from Gaza during the Ramadan holiday less than two months ago, saying such a gesture was "immoral" as long as Shalit remained in captivity.