Israel to release Fatah prisoners

[Levulett]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6235804.stm

Its only a "goodwill gesture"

[Luke]

At least it's a step towards peace. Seems from the news article that it was a fairly cordial summit. I'm glad to hear that the Israeli/Arab tensions eased, if only a little, rather than tightened at this crucial meeting.

[Lad]

I think it is a step to encourage Fatah rather than anything else at the expense of Hamas. They don't want to give any prisoners over, but they would sooner work with Fatah anyday than Hamas and this is a way of encouraging Fatah and also giving the appearance of actually doing something to the peace process. I'm not that impressed personally and I don't think it will make the slightest difference to the peace process; which I believe at the current climate is not achievable.

[Romulus111VADT]

They'll just end up back in prison from going back to their old ways.

[Lad]

I think that is probably true. They'll want to get revenge for their time in prison... 250 extra suicide bombers. Hamas and Fatah militants will be rubbing their hands together.