Criticized by some in Israel for releasing militants, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has spelled out that freeing prisoners who do not have "blood on their hands" is a goodwill gesture.
Besides the release of prisoners, Israel has agreed to stop hunting dozens of militants loyal mainly to Fatah groups, in return for promises that they return to civilian life.
Several thousand chanting, clapping Palestinians greeted the prisoners as their buses rolled into Abbas' headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Prisoners — almost all from Abbas' Fatah movement — were hoisted onto the shoulders of dancing supporters, before they performed noon prayers in a large, open-sided tent.
"This is the beginning," said Abbas, wearing a black-and-white checkered scarf, a symbol of Palestinian nationalism. "Efforts must continue. Our work must continue until every prisoner returns to the his home."
Again step one.
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