Abbas to Release Hundreds of Hamas Prisoners

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Source: Ynetnews

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has informed the Palestinian organizations that he plans to release hundreds of Hamas prisoners jailed in prisons in the West Bank, sources in Hamas claimed Saturday.

Abbas' office has yet to respond to the report.

According to the report, Abbas is interested in making a goodwill gesture ahead of a possible renewal of the talks between the Palestinian factions and on the backdrop of the Israel Defense Forces' offensive against the terror organizations in Gaza.

It's unclear whether the release will include all the Hamas members jailed in Palestinian Authority prisons, or only those who were not involved in activities against the Palestinian authorities.

Various Palestinian organizations have demanded in recent days that the PA release the hundreds of Hamas prisoners jailed in the West Bank, in light of the IDF operation and in a bid to solve the differences between Fatah and Hamas ahead of a possible reconciliation.

more: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3649580,00.html