PA, Hamas release prisoners ahead of Ramadan

Palestinian news agency Maan reports gesture of good will entailing Palestinian Authority release of eight Hamas-affiliated lecturers, Hamas government release of 100 'security' prisoners

Roee Nahmias|Published: 08.11.10 , 17:41

The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip released dozens of prisoners in a reciprocal gesture of good will between the warring factions ahead of the month of Ramadan, according to Palestinian news agency Maan.

The PA released eight Hamas-affiliated lecturers from An-Najah National University in Nablus, while the Hamas government released about 100 prisoners and detainees arrested for "security and criminal" offenses.

During a press conference in Gaza held by the Hamas government's justice minister, Mohammad al-Ghoul and Interior Minister Fathi Hamad, al-Ghoul said that Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh decided to release prisoners who displayed good behavior during their prison terms.

"There are no political prisoners in the Gaza Strip. All the prisoners released are of a security or criminal nature," said al-Ghoul, while calling on the PA to release what he deemed political prisoners from Hamas.

Hamas said that 20 of the prisoners released were detained on security pretexts. In addition, prisoners held for collaborating with Israel "in the lightest manner" were also released. He clarified that any of the prisoners who make repeat offenses will be slapped with double the punishment.

Just hours after the eight Hamas lecturers were released from PA jails, they were ordered on Wednesday morning to report to the PA police station in Nablus. The eight were all arrested some 10 days ago.