The Palestinian Authority released 45 Hamas terrorists from prison on Thursday, according to PA-based news sources. The move was apparently part of the Fatah-led PA's effort to reconcile with Hamas.
The PA has pledged to fight terrorism as part of its effort to create an independent Arab state in Judea and Samaria, and has been given weapons and training by the United States in order to help it effectively stop terrorism. Critics have pointed out that the PA has primarily targeted its political rivals, while terrorists affiliated with the ruling Fatah party have been ignored or given extremely light sentences.