Egyptian authorities on Sunday prepared for the release of 14 Palestinian prisoners from Egyptian jails. The prisoners had been detained during the rule of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
The independent Palestinian news agency Maan said Egypt had released around 20 to 30 Palestinian prisoners. The agency confirmed that Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) was responding to appeals for the release of the remaining Palestinian detainees.
A number had escaped and returned to the Gaza Strip with the help of Egyptian locals during the 25 January revolution. Ayman Nofal, a prominent member of Hamas' military wing Al-Qassam, was among them.
The 14 are expected to arrive in Gaza on Sunday. Hamas welcomed the decision and expressed appreciation for the SCAF and the Egyptian Interior Minister’s response. Senior Hamas leader in Gaza Mahmoud al-Zahar, who met with Egyptian officials last week, requested the release of the detainees.
Twenty Palestinians will remain in Egyptian prisons, however, despite demands for their release.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
