GAZA, April 17 (UPI) -- The Islamic Hamas movement said Sunday the release of all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel is a priority and a condition for the success of truce.
Hamas said an estimate 8,000 Palestinians being held in Israeli jails began a two-day hunger strike Saturday to mark the anniversary of Palestinian Prisoner's Day.
Hamas, in a letter to reporters, said "the prisoners' question represents a national cause since the Palestinian resistance was launched against the occupation."
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri earlier said the truce agreement reached in Cairo in March is threatened with collapse "if Israel kept ignoring the prisoners' question."
Israel and the Palestinians agreed to end violence in February, when Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas reached a agreement with 13 militant Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to accept a one-year truce with Israel.
