The de facto Hamas government in Gaza released 12 Fatah prisoners Monday evening in a "goodwill" gesture, local leaders said. Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas confirmed the move but added that "dozens of political prisoners and senior Fatah leaders are
The released prisoners include independent political leaders and members of human rights organizations. Hamas still has detained the Fatah governor of Gaza City and of the city of Khan Yunis. A human rights official in Gaza said that Hamas has agreed to free more Fatah prisoners to encourage Abbas to free Hamas supporters who are in jail in Ramallah.