Terror manhunts to be halted
Government agrees to remove names of 300 terror suspects from IDF’s wanted list; minister’s killers to remain in jail
JERUSALEM - Israeli and Palestinian officials have agreed to temporarily halt IDF manhunts for more than 300 terror suspects, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told ministers today.
Agreements to boost cooperation following the Sharm al-Sheikh summit have been reached in his meeting with senior Palestinian security official Mohammad Dahlan, Mofaz said during this morning’s government session.
Security authorities have received warnings of planned terror attacks, particularly by the Hezbollah, ahead of the summit meeting, he said. Earlier today, police declared a high terror alert in response to possible threats.
About 900 prisoners without “blood on their hands” would be released as a goodwill gesture to Abbas, Mofaz said.
“We have to give him an opportunity,” he said.
Ze'evi's killers to remain in prison
The release of two of six senior prisoners requested by the Palestinians has been approved, Mofaz said. In any case, he added, the killers of former Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi would remain in jail.
The possible release of Ze'evi’s killers is not on the agenda, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said earlier in the session.
Palestinian terrorists belonging to the Popular Front group killed Ze'evi in 2001 in a Jerusalem hotel.
On Saturday, Palestinian sources said some of those involved in the murder would soon be released, in the framework of understandings reached between Israeli and Palestinian officials.
Palestinians want murderers freed
According to the Palestinian reports, two senior Popular Front figures would be freed from their Jericho jail cell, but would have to remain in town, under Palestinian Authority supervision.
Late Saturday, top aides of Prime Minister Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas met in a bid to resolve the apparent stalemate over the prison-release issue. Israel is slated to free 900 prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Abbas, but officials said murderers would not be released.
The sides agreed Saturday to form a committee to study additional releases, including of prisoners involved in attacks.
The Palestinians, meanwhile, demand that senior prisoners with “blood on their hands” be freed, saying the move would help Abbas cement his position in the eyes of the Palestinian public.
- AP contributed to this report
