Delayed justice: Israeli court orders 18 Hamas officials released
View larger imageAbdul Aziz Duaik, front, of the Islamic group Hamas, shouts out to journalists as Hamas lawmaker Mohammed Abu Teir, right, looks on at the Ofer Military court near the West Bank town of Ramallah. (AP / Kevin Frayer)
Israeli court orders 18 Hamas officials released
Updated Tue. Sep. 12 2006 8:38 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
An Israeli military court on Tuesday ordered the release of 18 Hamas lawmakers, including three cabinet ministers.
Since June, the Israeli army has arrested some 30 politicians after militants in Gaza tied to the group attacked a military post and captured an Israeli soldier.
The court ordered the officials freed on bail while their trials continue, but they will remain in custody for at least two more days because prosecutors have appealed the ruling.
The court is scheduled to issue a final ruling on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the outgoing Hamas-led administration said the group is prepared to support peace efforts with Israel as part of a new coalition government being formed by the Palestinians.
The Hamas-led government said Monday it would join a unity government with President Mahmoud Abbas’ more moderate Fatah Party.
The move is aimed at easing crippling sanction by western nations against Palestinians.
Abbas would dissolve the Hamas-led Cabinet within 48 hours of the announcement, his spokesperson said.
Despite the apparent softening of Hamas’ violent anti-Israeli stance, fighting continued early Tuesday between Israeli troops and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
The fighting raised some doubts about the proposed agreement.
Hamas gunmen and members of another militant group battled troops operating near the border with Israel, killing one soldier.
Hamas, labelled a terrorist group by Israel and the West, also agreed to give Abbas authority over dealings with Israel.
Ghazi Hamad, the spokesman of the outgoing government, said Hamas is ready to give Abbas a chance to pursue his agenda.
Abbas declined to give details on the governing platform while in Gaza, but said “we do have a positive agenda, an acceptable agenda that will allow the new government to deal with Arab and international resolutions.”
Israel and its Western allies, the U.S. and European Union, have said Hamas must renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept past peace agreements.
Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz said he hoped the new government would accept the international conditions, but warned Hamas could be covering up its true motives.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was heading to Washington later Tuesday, where she will discuss the new Palestinian government with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
With files from The Associated Press
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