Israel Frees Palestinian Prisoners

Hundreds More Released In Deal Made In Feb.; Leaders To Meet Soon

(CBS/AP)  At the Tarkumiya checkpoint near the West Bank city of Hebron, a replica of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock mosque greeted the prisoners.

The fate of the prisoners held by Israel is extremely emotional for Palestinians, and Abbas has attempted to make their release a priority. With an estimated 8,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, most Palestinian families have friends or relatives behind bars.

The Palestinians want Israel to release all of the prisoners, while Israel refuses to free anyone involved in attacks on Israelis. The Palestinians have also complained that in the past Israel only freed prisoners who had committed minor infractions and were near the end of their sentences.

Some of the prisoners released Thursday had been charged with attempted shootings, preparing explosives and assisting attempted murder, but most were sitting in prison for nonviolent offenses.

Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, welcomed Thursday's release, but said Israel must go further.

"I think it's making 400 Palestinian families happy today and I hope that we can also make happy the other 8,000 families who are concerned about their loved ones," Erekat said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed at a February summit with Abbas in Egypt to release 900 prisoners. Shortly after the summit, the first 500 were freed. Thursday's release completed the pledge.

Israel also agreed under the truce to turn over five West Bank towns to Palestinian security control. But so far, it has only turned over two of the towns, accusing Palestinian forces of failing to act against militants in areas under their control.

Also Thursday, Israel and the Palestinians said their leaders would meet on June 21. Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will discuss the release of more prisoners at the upcoming summit, Erekat said.

Musa Kuran, a prisoner freed in Tulkarem on Thursday, said he is optimistic that Abbas will free the rest of his comrades.

"Life was very hard in prison. I'm sad that my friends are still inside. But I trust Abu Mazen will free them, the way he freed me. He's smart enough to get them out," Kuran said.