RAMALLAH
Chief Israeli negotiator and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said Thursday that Israel will not release a fourth group of Palestinian prisoners.
"New conditions were established and Israel cannot release the fourth batch of prisoners," Livni said, according to Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot.
She cited the Palestinians' push for recognition at the United Nations for the refusal to release the last group of prisoners.
Livni went on to say that the prisoner release was contingent on the Palestinians refraining from making unilateral moves.
Under a U.S.-sponsored agreement, Israel had earlier promised to release 104 Palestinian prisoners detained since before the signing of the 1993 Oslo peace accords.
Israel has already freed 78 prisoners in three phases.
The fourth group of prisoners had been scheduled for release last Saturday before Israel reneged on its pledge.
On Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responded to the Israeli refusal by formally applying for Palestinian membership in U.N. organizations and treaties.
There are around 4660 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, according to Palestinian estimates.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
englishnews@aa.com.tr
