Al-Aqsa Mosque
Photo: Reuters
Attempt to bolster his regime. Mahmoud Abbas
Photo: AFP
Palestinians say Israel pardoned 92 wanted Fatah men
In apparent bid to bolster Abbas' regime ahead of possible release of hundreds of Hamas prisoners as part of Shalit deal, Israel grants amnesty to dozens of al-Aqsa Brigades men
Palestinian sources reported Thursday that Israel has pardoned 92 wanted gunmen belonging to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah's armed wing.
Israel has yet to respond to the report.
Appeasing Move
Hamas, PA officials continue to express optimism about possibility of finalizing deal securing kidnapped soldier's release in near future. Sources involved in talks say hundreds of Fatah prisoners to be released as well in bid to prevent Palestinian public opinion from shifting towards Hamas
The majority of the pardoned Fatah gunmen are permitted to move freely within Area A, which is under the Palestinian Authority's full control. A handful of them are permitted to travel freely within all of the territories.
One of the pardoned gunmen, Ala Sankara, served as Al-Aqsa commander in the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus. His daughter and two brothers were killed by the IDF, and his home was razed.
Speaking to Ynet, Sankara, who was granted a full pardon by Israel, said, "I am very pleased - after years of persecution, concern and fear. I want to thank (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas for looking out for us. I hope this agreement will eventually include all of the wanted (Fatah gunmen), and that the prisoners (held by Israel) will also be freed."
The Fatah men were pardoned as part of the 2007 amnesty agreement between Israel and the PA, but the timing, which coincides with reports of progress in the negotiations on a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, indicates that the move is aimed at bolstering Abbas' regime.
A week ago, Palestinian sources said Abbas expects Israel to release hundreds of Fatah prisoners to counter the possible release of hundreds of Hamas detainees as part of a deal to secure the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
The sources clarified that the release of Fatah prisoners would be aimed at preventing Palestinian public opinion from shifting in Hamas' favor.
