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Hamas, Fatah to release hostages they hold

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-24 22:22

GAZA  -- In preparation for possible dialogue, rival Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah handed out lists of their prisoners to a leftist faction to get them freed, an official from the faction said on Tuesday.

Talal Abu Zarifa, a leader from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), said the names were received Monday during separate meetings with delegation from Hamas and Fatah.

According to the lists, Hamas has 54 members imprisoned by security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah in West Bank while Fatah has 46 people held by Hamas in Gaza, Abu Zarifa said.

The DFLP and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) will deliver the names to different sides in order to discuss the release of the prisoners who are held for political backgrounds.

In June 2007, Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces and ousted Fatah movement in Gaza Strip. Since then, pro-Abbas forces intensified crackdown against Hamas supporters in West Bank while Hamas arrested Fatah people in Gaza.

This month, Abbas said he wants to talk to Hamas in order to end the political division between Gaza Strip and West Bank. Hamas welcomed the call.