Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., February 26, 2008 Adar1 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 09:34 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Gazans pouring across the breached border with Egypt last month. (AP) Last update - 18:07 25/02/2008 Official: Egypt frees 21 arrested Gazans, some Hamas activists By The Associated Press Tags: Hamas, Israel, Egypt, Gaza Egyptian security on Monday released 21 Palestinians, many of them detained carrying weapons and explosives during the two weeks when the border with Gaza had been breached, and sent them back into the strip, a local security official said. The 21 were released at noon and escorted by scores of Egyptian security forces to the border where they were handed over to Hamas, the official said on the customary condition of anonymity. The releases came after talks Saturday between Egyptian officials and a Hamas delegation over the fate of Palestinians detained following the Jan. 23 forcible opening of the border. Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha said Cairo agreed to release all the Palestinians after the delegation returned. Advertisement Of the men released, 12 were directly affiliated with Hamas and had been captured with explosives and weapons inside Egypt. They were believed to be trying to infiltrate back into Israel to carry out attacks. Hamas is seeking a reopening of the Rafah crossing and a role in monitoring the border, something rejected by Egypt, which has called for a return to the 2005 international agreement that gives Israeli and European Union monitors a supervisory capacity. Hamas has criticized the old system for giving Israel a de facto veto power over the crossing. Egyptian officials have repeatedly warned Hamas to stay away from the border and not even think of reopening it by force as they did on January 23, when explosives blew several holes in the frontier and sent hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into Egypt to shop for supplies. Related articles: Egypt to deport 500 Palestinians who crossed in border breach Egypt: No Gaza border deal without consent of Israel, PA Israel demands that Egypt restore order at Gaza-Egypt border Hamas takes control at frontier as 200,000 Gazans enter Egypt Bookmark to del.icio.us   Personalized workout Boutique gyms is the next big thing - for those who can pay. No to non-violence 'Human chain' against the blockade on gaza yields disappointing turnout.   1.   Egypt and the ?Palestinians?. 17:18  |  Jean Van Daem 25/02/08   2.   See Egypt wants so little to do with Palestinkia 17:25  |  Robert/Montreal 25/02/08   3.   i wonder if hamas and the egyptians were snickering when they 00:25  |  terrornator 26/02/08   4.   Egyptian law 04:45  |  Paul 26/02/08

Today Online Gaza protest of Israeli siege yields disappointing turnout Responses: 439 Bradley Burston: Palestine's doomsday weapon - non-violence - fails its test Responses: 187 Canadian Jew loses bid to have 'Jerusalem, Israel' in passport Responses: 119 Obama`s top adviser: Israel and Arabs must negotiate own peace Responses: 143 Akiva Eldar: AIPAC does not even bother to rally for two-state solution Responses: 73 Rosner's Domain "Reasonable people can agree or disagree on meeting Ahmadinejad" Clinton allies say: Obama bad for Israel (WTR) Iran Could Have Enough Uranium for a Bomb by Year's End (WTR) Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother More Headlines 09:25 High Court upholds Katsav sex crimes plea bargain 07:55 Iran ordered to pay $33 million to murdered Israeli diplomat's family 07:39 ANALYSIS: In the end blood was shed in Sderot, not Gaza 02:13 Report: Widow of slain Hezbollah terrorist blames Syria for killing 06:46 Store manager fined for employing Jewish workers on Shabbat 07:26 Israeli diplomat postpones meeting after Costa Rica recognizes Palestinian state 06:22 Iran UN envoy: Exiled group feeding U.S. lies on weapons plan 03:08 Olmert aides: Demonstration in Gaza 'much ado about nothing' 01:39 Will Obama be supportive of an Israel controlled by a Likud government? 06:06 Australian soccer player to be disciplined for dressing as Hitler 08:35 Vets mend sea turtle's limb in first operation of its kind in Israel Previous Editions Select Day 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved