Israel refuses to release Hamas prisoners

Israel started releasing more than 250 Palestinian prisoners today, in an attempt to bolster moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his power struggle with Hamas.

No Hamas prisoners will be released.

A first batch of about 120 manacled prisoners were put aboard buses at the Ketziot prison camp in southern Israel’s Negev desert early this morning, headed for the West Bank.

The transfer is scheduled to be completed by around midday when all 256 released prisoners are to meet Abbas at his Ramallah headquarters.