Israel frees Gaza Strip detainees

Israel released 57 prisoners in the West Bank on Monday

Israel has freed 29 Palestinian detainees a day later than planned in what is seen as an attempt to bolster the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas.

The prisoners entered Gaza through the Erez border crossing with Israel. Jubilant relatives and friends were there to greet them.

Most of the freed men were members of the Fatah faction of Mr Abbas, who also heads the Palestinian Authority.

None were from the rival Hamas movement which seized control of Gaza in June.

They were originally due for release on Monday, along with 57 West Bankers, but were kept back because the Israeli president had not signed their pardons.

Shimon Peres signed the papers last night without explaining the delay.

Palestinian officials have welcomed the prisoner releases and called on Israel to free thousands more Palestinian prisoners.

Waiting for relatives

More than 10,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli jails, including hundreds being detained without charge.

The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah says, out of more than 300 Palestinians released by Israel in the last three months, these are the first to be sent back to the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian Minister for Detainees Ashraf al-Ajrami says the latest releases are not enough.

There are more than 10,000 Palestinians being held in Israel, many without charge. Israeli troops detain an average of 101 new Palestinians per month, the United Nations says.

Mr Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert later this week for more preparatory talks ahead of a Middle East peace conference due to be held in the US in November.

Officials said the pair would be working on a peace deal to present at the summit, at which delegates from 36 countries are expected to meet in the US state of Maryland.

Correspondents say Israel has been keen to strengthen the position of Mr Abbas and his Fatah faction since Hamas won elections last year.