Hamas asks Egypt to prevent re-arrest of freed prisoners

The Palestinian movement Hamas on Tuesday asked Egypt, as sponsor of the prisoner swap deal involving Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, to intervene to stop Israel from re-arresting the detainees freed in the deal.

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri called for the release of two ex-detainees he said Israel arrested in a serious violation of the deal.

Israeli authorities launched a campaign of mass arrests in the West Bank last week that included former detainees Ayman Sherwana and Ayman Abu Dawoud.

Abu Zuhri called on Egypt, which mediated the October deal to release more than 1,000 Palestinians from Israeli jails, to hold Israel responsible for breaking its guarantee not to re-arrest those released.

In October, Hamas and Israel reached a deal mediated by Egypt to free 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in return for Shalit, who was then freed on 18 October.

The first stage of the deal saw 477 Palestinians released, including hundreds serving life for killing Israelis.The remaining prisoners were freed in mid-December.

Source: Egypt Independent