In Israel and the Occupied Territories, the Israeli Cabinet has agreed on a deal that would release 250 prisoners linked to the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Some 10,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli jails. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum criticized Israel’s refusal to release Hamas members.

Fawzi Barhoum: “Abu Mazen supports the division between Gaza and the West Bank, and now he wants to isolate Gaza completely from the Palestinians’ lands. We are in Hamas against any type of division, against any type of isolation, against any type of distinguish.”