Israel Matzav

'Palestinian prisoner' exchange

There's a 'Palestinian prisoner' exchange taking place over the course of the next three weeks - between now and the end of Ramadamadan. The good news is that Israel is not involved.

Representatives of rival Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas say they have agreed on measures to end an impasse in reconciliation talks.

The groups, which run rival governments in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, pledged in May to form a joint government to prepare for elections. Those efforts stalled because of disagreements, including over who would be the prime minister.

They agreed during talks in Cairo to a mutual prisoner release. Each side has been rounding up supporters of its rival.

Izzat Rashaq, a top Hamas member, said Sunday all detainees will be released before the end of the holy month of Ramadan in about three weeks.

Chief Fatah negotiator Azzam al-Ahmed said most of the detainees on both sides had been released already, and the remainder would soon be freed.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Fatah, Hamas, Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, Palestinian prisoners

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:31 PM