Israel began freeing scores of Palestinian prisoners Monday and is expected to release many hundreds more in the coming days.
The release of Palestinian detainees and prisoners being held in Israeli jails for security offenses took place under the terms of the May 4 Cairo agreement for implementing limited Palestinian self-rule in the Gaza Strip and Jericho district.
One group of prisoners leaving the Ketziot Prison in the northern Negev, where most of the Palestinians are held, was met Monday at the Gaza border by Palestinian police officers, who threw candy and flowers at the new arrivals.
“We are so happy. The days of conquest are over,” one Palestinian officer said.
Close to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have already been released by Israel. But the freeing of some 700 other prisoners was held up after they refused to sign a document indicating their support of the peace process.
The Cairo agreement calls for the release of a total of 5,000 prisoners held by Israel.
Those due for release are not members of the Islamic fundamentalist Hamas movement, which staunchly opposes the Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative.
Most of those being released were reaching the end of their prison sentences. None has been found guilty of murder or of being involved in attacks against Israel Defense Force personnel.
Those who remain in Israeli custody after this week are expected to be freed within the next few weeks, according to security sources.
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