PA minister: Next prisoners' release in October

Following August release of 26 prisoners, Minister Karaka says next group to face release on October 29, regardless of progress of Israel-PA peace talks. Abbas suggests issue of borders hinges on talks

Roi Kais|Published: 09.06.13 , 17:37

Palestinian Minister of Prisoner Affairs Issa Karaka said that the next Palestinian prisoners’ release as past of the peace talks’ resumption will take place on October 29.

According to Karaka, the next group of prisoners will be released regardless of diplomatic progress of the talks, adding that the prisoners will only be released to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

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The minister noted that the fourth and final group of prisoners will be released on March 28.

Earlier in August, the first group of Palestinian prisoners was released as part of an Israeli gesture to the Palestinian Authority in the wake of resuming peace talks.

The first group consisted of 26 prisoners who were from the Ayalon Prison to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Divided into to four groups, over a 100 security prisoners are expected to face release.

Referring to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, PA President Mahmoud Abbas suggested Friday that Ramallah might renege on its agreements regarding territories in case Israel overturns past understandings.

“We have presented our views, and the Israelis said they wanted to strike what was agreed on regarding borders and security with (former PM) Ehud Olmert,” the Palestinian president said.