Israel frees 400 Palestinian prisoners

Some 400 Palestinian detainees released by the Israeli authorities on Thursday, arrived later in the day to five Israeli check point near the Palestinian territories. They are Betonia to the south of Ramullah, Tarqoumia in al-Khalil area, Teiba in Touylkarem, Salem near Jenin as well as Erez crossing which separates Gaza from Israel.

Some 21 detainees arrived at Erez crossing and 77 at Betonia. News reports in Palestine said that 175 detainees arrived in Toylkarem crossing and all the detainees were welcomed by hundreds of their family members who hoisted the Palestinian flags and the pictures of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

The release of the Palestinians is considered the second phase of the operation agreed upon with the Palestinians. It aims at releasing some 900 Palestinian prisoners, according to rules set by Israel. Just 4 months earlier, Israel released 500 prisoners.