Israelis divided over prisoner deal to free soldier

RELATIVES of Israelis killed in Palestinian attacks waged a charged debate yesterday over the planned release of militants this week in a deal to free an Israeli soldier held by Hamas for five years.

Several families have filed court appeals against the deal, though it is not expected to halt the swap in which Hamas militants will free Sgt Gilad Schalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinians in Israeli prisons. Israeli prison buses began moving some of the prisoners from one penal installation in southern Israel to another in preparation for their release.

Among the prisoners to be released tomorrow are militants involved in deadly bombings and other attacks targeting Israeli civilians and soldiers.