IDF arrests in Nablus (Archive photo)
Photo: AP
'Israel granted amnesty to 32 wanted Fatah men'
Palestinian security officials tell Ynet 32 members of al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah's military wing, have completed three-month probation period and are now to move freely in West Bank. Another 220 wanted Palestinians to begin another probation period. Israeli security officials have yet to confirm report
Israel has granted amnesty to some 32 wanted members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah's military wing, Palestinian security officials told Ynet on Sunday.
The Israeli defense establishment has yet to confirm the report.
Security Service
Three months after amnesty deal that offered clemency to 170 Fatah operatives, security establishment views positively what it defines as 'trial phase'
The Palestinians reported that Israel has removed about 32 al-Aqsa members from its list of wanted men, including senior organization members, and has extended the probation period of 220 additional wanted men by three months.
About half a year ago, Ynet revealed that Israel and the Palestinian Authority had reached an agreement, according to which wanted al-Aqsa members would begin a three-month probation period, and those not involved in terrorist activities during this period would be granted amnesty.
Leading a normal life
The three-month probation period ended in October, and following an extension which ended in January, the Israelis and Palestinians held a discussion on the issue.
Following about two weeks of deliberations, Israel declared that it would remove 32 wanted men from its list.
The Palestinians removed from the list can now move freely in the West Bank and lead a normal life in Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm and other towns and cities.
PA officials expressed their disappointment over what they described as the low number of wanted men on the list.
"Israel is aware that all of the wanted al-Aqsa members have stopped engaging in any activity that could even come close to threatening the Jewish state, but the Israelis chose to exclude a number of wanted men they want to use as bargaining chips in future negotiations with us," one PA official said.
According to the original agreement, 176 Al-Aqsa members entered into a special regimen in which they were to be confined to PA facilities. The men signed a document obligating them to refrain from taking part in any military activity and surrender their weapons to the Authority. Sixty more gunmen were eventually added to the original list.
