Israel Releases Hamas Member of Palestinian Legislature

Israel has released one of 15 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council that it is holding in its jails. Hatem Qafisha, 49, and a member of Hamas, was allowed to return to his Hebron home. Qafisha and 14 other law makers were detained by Israeli security forces following the cross-border raid in June 2006 that resulted in the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, ostensibly as bargaining chips to secure Shalit’s release. More than three years later, Shalit remains in captivity and Israel has released a couple of those who were arrested, including the speaker of the legislative council.