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Zionist Israel not to release Palestinian prisoners: PA

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A Palestinian Authority (PA) official says Tel Aviv will not go ahead with the promised release of a fourth group of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

“The Israeli government has informed us through the American mediator that it will not abide with its commitment to release the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday 29,” Jibril Rajoub said on Friday.

Israel is required to release 104 Palestinian prisoners on March 29 as part of a deal for the resumption of US-sponsored direct talks with the Palestinian Authority.

Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas insists that the inmates be released by the end of March as promised.

On Tuesday, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) warned that Israel failure to release Palestinian prisoners renew Palestinians’ diplomatic push at the United Nations for statehood.

“The release of the prisoners is in return for the freeze on seeking membership in international organizations,” secretary general of the PLO’s executive committee, Yasser Abed Rabbo, stated.

Rajoub on Friday reiterated the PLO’s stance and said, “Not releasing the prisoners will mark the beginning of the efforts in the international community to challenge the legality of the occupation.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who has brokered the PA-Israel talks after a three-year gap, has given the two sides a nine-month deadline to reach a deal. The deadline expires on April 29.

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