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Israel Frees 250 Palestinians

Release represents support for Abbas government

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2007 7:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Both sides expressed optimism as Israel released more than 250 Palestinian prisoners today, a sign of support for Mahmoud Abbas' government in its struggle with Hamas. Most of the prisoners were Fatah members, the AP reports; in keeping with the country's policy not to release prisoners incarcerated for killing or wounding Israelis, none were directly involved in attacks on Israelis.

Among the released was Abdel Rahim Malouh, a leader of a PLO splinter group that assassinated an Israeli cabinet minister in 2001. Israel holds more than 9,000 other Palestinian prisoners, and Abbas has vowed to arrange the release of all of them. Buses holding the 255 ex-prisoners met a celebratory reception in Ramallah, where supporters danced in the streets.

In this photo released by the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, greets Abdel Rahim Malouh, second in command of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, left, as he arrives in the West Bank city of Ramallah after his release from an Israeli prison Friday, July 20,...
In this photo released by the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, greets Abdel Rahim Malouh, second in command of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, left,...   (Associated Press)
Released Palestinian prisoners lean out of bus windows, one holding a poster of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Beituniya checkpoint on their way to the West Bank town of Ramallah, Friday, July 20, 2007. Israel released more than 250 Palestinian prisoners Friday, in...
Released Palestinian prisoners lean out of bus windows, one holding a poster of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Beituniya checkpoint on their way to...   (Associated Press)
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