Israeli forces release 91 Palestinian prisoners, arrest 10 others
Palestine-Israel, Military, 6/4/2003

The Israeli occupation forces yesterday released 91 Palestinian detainees most of them are administrative prisoners with the exception of Ahmad Jebera ( Abu al-Sukkar) who has been jailed since 1975. However, the occupation forces carried out new breaking in and arrest campaigns in the cities of the West Bank and Gaza that resulted in wounding scores of Palestinians, arresting scores and destroying one house.

The Palestinian detainees were released during al-Aqaba meeting which will bring together the US President George W. Bush with the Palestinian and Israeli prime ministers.

The prisoners at the detention center of Kanzeyout in Negev and Ofer ( West Bank ) were released. Most of the released detainees are about to complete their imprisonment sentences.

Jebera whose friends and family members waited for him at an inspection point for the Israeli army near Ramullah said "we are not killers.. nor criminals. We seek peace." Immediately upon his release, Abu al-Sukkar was received by the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Ramullah. Abu al-Sukkar ( 69 year old) was held in Askalan prison near Tel Aviv. He was arrested in 1976 and was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of carrying an attack in Jerusalem.

The Palestinians welcomed the release of the detainees. The Palestinian minister in charge of the prisoners affairs Hisham Abdul Razeq said "it is a positive step which will create an appropriate atmosphere to continue the negotiations." He added that "between 1700 and 2000 members of the various Palestinian security are held in Israel and it is important to release them. We work for the release of all Palestinian detainees."

On Monday Israel released Teiser Khaled member of the executive committee of the PLO who has been held since 6 months. Meantime, the Israeli occupation forces incurred incursion operations in the Palestinian cities and towns. Palestinian sources said the Israeli army raised Nablus and the nearby Balata camp and carried out incursion operations. Eye witnesses said that clashes erupted between the citizens and the occupation forces that resulted in wounding 49 Palestinians many of them seriously wounded.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA said the occupation forces broke into the city of Bethlehem amid intensive fire and imposed curfew in it. It indicated "the campaign of arrests and breaking in in Hebron targeted scores of Palestinians.

Previous Stories:
  Israel tighten siege measures, hold hundreds of people at check points   (6/3/2003)
  Israel kill three Palestinians, symbolic lift of closure on West Bank and Gaza   (6/2/2003)
  Amnesty international: Israel commits war crimes against the Palestinians   (5/31/2003)
  Sharon clings to principles, Abbas waits to meet Bush   (5/31/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search