MIDDLE EAST: An Israeli military judge made a surprise ruling yesterday when he ordered the release of 18 senior Hamas officials detained by Israel in the past two months.
The men, including three Palestinian cabinet members and some members of parliament, will be held until tomorrow to allow the government to appeal. If the appeal fails, the men will be released on bail. The court earlier ordered three other Hamas officials to be released and an appeal will be heard in their case today.
It was uncertain last night whether the decision by the judge at the Ofer military court was intended as a political concession to the Palestinians. It came a day after the rival Hamas and Fatah factions agreed the basis of a new coalition government, which they hope will meet international demands and unfreeze the costly economic blockade which has overshadowed the Palestinian territories since Hamas won elections in January.
It also came as negotiations were continuing over the release of Cpl Gilad Shalit, which could lead to the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
The Hamas officials were detained in military operations after Cpl Shalit was captured in June. Some were charged with membership of an illegal organisation and may yet face trial. Several others are still being held.
Some in Hamas yesterday took the judge's decision as an encouraging sign. "I believe the release of ministers and lawmakers will afford a suitable atmosphere for the announcement of the national unity government after the completion of the consultations," said Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman.
Talks were continuing in Gaza to finalise the power-sharing government. Israeli officials have warned repeatedly that they will not deal with the new government unless it meets the three demands set by the international community: that it recognise Israel, halt violence and accept previous peace agreements.
There were suggestions in the Israeli press yesterday that a rift might emerge between European governments, thought more likely to accept the Palestinian coalition, and Israel, which is demanding recognition.
"We have to make sure that this is not an attempt to make the Hamas government look better when in practice they have no intention of living up to the conditions of the international community," said Israel's defence minister, Amir Peretz.