Israel frees six Hamas leaders arrested after Shalit abduction

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Israel has released six Hamas Cabinet ministers jailed after Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier in Gaza in 2006.

Israeli defense officials say the ministers had just completed their prison terms and their release was not connected to a swap of the captured Sgt. Gilad Schalit for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The officials spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak with the media. Israel arrested 45 Hamas lawmakers in the West Bank following Schalit's capture and convicted them of belonging to an illegal organization. Hamas says 15 remain in prison.

Hamas won control of the Palestinian parliament in 2006 elections, then seized the Gaza Strip in 2007, leading to rival governments in the West Bank and Gaza.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125326.html