Hamas parliament speaker released from prison
Hamas parliament speaker released from prison
Israel has released a leading Hamas figure after being held for a year in jail accused of involvement in the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers.
1 min read
Hamas speaker Duweik has been in prison for close to year [AFP]
Israel released the speaker of the Palestinian parliament on Tuesday after almost a year in prison.
Aziz Duwaik was arrested in June 2014 following the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers. The manhunt saw hundreds of Palestinians arrested by Israeli security forces, most linked to Hamas.
The crackdown resulted in Hamas firing rockets into Israel and an Israeli assault on Gaza left 2,200 Palestinians killed, the vast majority civilians.
Ahmad Attoun, a Hamas member of parliament, said, "Israeli authorities are expected to delay his release for a few hours as part of their arrogance and to spoil the joy of Duwaik's release."
Supporters have gathered in Ramallah where Duwaik is expected to be released.
An Israeli military court sentenced Duwaik to 12 months in jail and a $1,500 fine in May 2015.
According the Ramallah-based Palestinian Prisoners' Club, 12 of the 130 Palestinian MPs being held by Israel.
Aziz Duwaik was arrested in June 2014 following the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers. The manhunt saw hundreds of Palestinians arrested by Israeli security forces, most linked to Hamas.
The crackdown resulted in Hamas firing rockets into Israel and an Israeli assault on Gaza left 2,200 Palestinians killed, the vast majority civilians.
Ahmad Attoun, a Hamas member of parliament, said, "Israeli authorities are expected to delay his release for a few hours as part of their arrogance and to spoil the joy of Duwaik's release."
Supporters have gathered in Ramallah where Duwaik is expected to be released.
An Israeli military court sentenced Duwaik to 12 months in jail and a $1,500 fine in May 2015.
According the Ramallah-based Palestinian Prisoners' Club, 12 of the 130 Palestinian MPs being held by Israel.