RAMALLAH, August 8 (JMCC) - Palestinian factions Hamas and Fateh, meeting in Cairo this week, have agreed to release all rival prisoners from jails in the West Bank and Gaza Strip before the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan,
reports the Associated Press.
The move is part of a wider deal signed in May to form a shared government and hold general elections. Little progress has been made in the pact, however, and the continued detention of Hamas members in the West Bank and Fateh members in the Gaza Strip has been a sticking point.
Izzat Rashaq, a top Hamas member, said Sunday all detainees will be released before the end of the holy month of Ramadan in about three weeks.
Chief Fatah negotiator Azzam al-Ahmed said most of the detainees on both sides had been released already, and the remainder would soon be freed.
The Muslim fast month of Ramadan comes to a close at the end of August.