Hamas to free Fatah prisoners

2012-11-25 21:23

(AP)

Gaza City - Gaza's ruling Hamas movement is to release all prisoners from the rival Fatah movement detained in connection with the political dispute between them, a spokesperson says.

"The Hamas government has decided to pardon all cases against Fatah members which are related to the internal division since 2006," Hamas government spokesperson Taher al-Nunu said.

He said the government had decided to set up a committee "to implement this decision and establish a new stage of reconciliation."

Interior ministry spokesperson Islam Shahwan said there were 22 Fatah members in jail in Gaza.

The move comes just days after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas telephoned Gaza's Hamas premier Ismail Haniya to congratulate him "on his victory and (offer) condolences for the martyrs."

The conversation between the two rival Palestinian leaders came after an Egyptian-brokered truce with Israel ended eight days of fighting in and around Gaza, in which 166 Palestinians and six Israelis died.

- AFP