Gaza prepares heroes welcome for Palestinian freedom fighters

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GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories — Palestinian groups are planning celebrations to mark Israel's imminent release of hundreds of prisoner "heroes" in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Israeli President Shimon Peres received late Saturday the files of Palestinians prisoners to be pardoned as part of the deal for Shalit's release, his office said.

On Tuesday, 477 Palestinian prisoners, including 27 women, are expected to be freed in the first stage of a deal for the return of Sergeant Shalit, who has been held for more than five years by Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Gaza's Hamas rulers plan to release Shalit, captured in a cross-border raid in 2006, with the understanding that another 550 Palestinian prisoners will walk free within two months.

A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees told a news conference in Gaza that "all organisations have agreed to begin preparations for the reception of the prisoners, to receive them like heroes with official and popular celebrations."

The armed Palestinian group says it is holding the Israeli soldier.

"The organisations expressed their pride in this agreement that Hamas reached with Israel, with the mediation of Egypt, and applauded the heroes who kidnapped Gilad Shalit," the spokesman added, reading a statement.

"They said they would continue to make every effort to free every prisoner held in Israel jails." more

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