Israel releases Hamas lawmakers

JERUSALEM, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Israel released six Palestinian lawmakers affiliated with Hamas arrested after the 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, officials said.

The lawmakers were identified as Ahmed Attoun and Wael al-Husseini of the Jerusalem area; Khalil Rabai, Samir al-Qadi and Mahir Badr of Hebron, and Mahmoud al-Khatib of Bethlehem, Maan news agency reported Monday.

Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas lawmaker based in Gaza, told the news agency he would continue to lobby for the release of 18 Palestinian lawmakers who remain in Israeli jails, including 15 affiliated with Hamas, two Fatah members and one affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the agency said.

Shortly after Shalit was captured and taken hostage in Gaza, Israel arrested a number of lawmakers affiliated with Hamas in the West Bank, the agency said.

A seventh Palestinian lawmaker was released on Sunday, Middle East Online reported. A spokeswoman of the Israel Prison Authority told the Web site the six lawmakers had completed their period of administrative detention.

In June 2006, Shalit was kidnapped while on operational duty near the Gaza Strip and remains captive.