Hamas hosts reception for released prisoners

Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouq said on Monday that three countries are willing to host Palestinian detainees set to be released under a recent exchange deal between Hamas and Israel. Marzouq, deputy head of the Hamas politburo, told the London based pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat that Qatar and Turkey had agreed to host exiled prisoners.

Al Hayat mentioned that Syria could also be among the countries willing to receive released detainees. A Hamas delegation headed by Khaled Mashaal will arrive in Cairo later on Monday to welcome released prisoners, Marzouq said.

The first stage of the prisoner swap is set to take place in the Egyptian Sinai, with Israel transferring some 430 Palestinian prisoners to a holding facility in the Negev desert on Sunday in preparation for the exchange on Tuesday.

Abu Marzouq praised Egypt's role in mediating negotiations for the prisoner deal, which will see 1,027 Palestinian detainees exchanged for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. According to latest figures provided by the Palestinian Authority, there are around 6,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails.

The majority remaining in prison have vowed to continue a hunger strike launched on Sept. 27, in protest against worsening conditions in Israeli prisons.