Hamas yesterday released 45 prisoners who are affiliates with opposition faction Fatah.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Interior in the Gaza Strip said in a statement that the detainees had been arrested over security and criminal charges and denied that their arrest was politically motivated.
Following presidential decree, Hamas releases 45 Fatah prisoners https://t.co/Ui6i7EQEnH by @Entsarabujahal
— Al-Monitor (@AlMonitor) February 26, 2021
The statement added that the move is a goodwill gesture aimed at setting a positive atmosphere ahead of the Palestinian elections slated for May.
Ministry of Interior spokesperson, Iyad Al-Bozum, said the ministry has reviewed a number of files of security detainees and decided to release 45 people.
Hamas Releases 45 Political Prisoners, Fatah Unsatisfied https://t.co/XxAe7hqkL3 via @aawsat_eng
— Nino Brodin (@Orgetorix) February 26, 2021
On Monday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh called on Hamas to release more than 80 political prisoners detained by the movement in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinians are set to hold the legislative elections on May 22, presidential elections on July 31, and polls for the National Assembly on August 31.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
