Israeli Minister Urges Release Of Prisoner

By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press | February 6, 2007

JERUSALEM — An influential Israeli Cabinet minister called yesterday for Israel to release Marwan Barghouti — a hugely popular Palestinian Arab leader jailed on murder charges — in an effort to prop up President Abbas in his rivalry with Hamas.

Mr. Abbas's moderate Fatah Party and the militant Hamas have engaged in bitter fighting since Hamas won parliamentary elections last year, dividing the Palestinian Arab government. More than 130 Palestinian Arabs have been killed in the fighting, including three who died yesterday from wounds sustained in recent days.

Repeated efforts to form a national unity government have foundered, but Mr. Abbas and Hamas exiled leader Khaled Mashaal are to meet in the holy Muslim city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia today to attempt to reach a power-sharing agreement and end the fighting. Many see the meeting as a last chance for the Palestinian Arabs to avoid civil war.

"If this meeting [in Mecca] fails, then no one will try to mediate again," Palestinian Arab analyst Ali Jerbawi said.

The latest round of Gaza fighting eased yesterday after the two sides agreed to a new truce Sunday evening. The streets of Gaza City were again busy, as shops reopened and police cars patrolled the streets to maintain order.