Israel to let inmates out of solitary

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JERUSALEM, May 9 (UPI) -- A special panel has agreed to a demand by hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners to let some detainees out of solitary confinement, Haaretz reported Wednesday.

The Tel Aviv newspaper said it has learned Mahmoud Issa, who has spent more time in solitary than any other Palestinian detained for security-related offenses, is among those the committee -- appointed by the commissioner of the Israel Prison Service -- has agreed to move out of isolation.

Sources within the Palestinian Prisoners Association said it was unclear whether the prisoners removed from solitary would be incarcerated with other prisoners jailed for security-related offenses or be placed in a special ward designated only for them, Haaretz reported.

Not yet on the transfer list were three other longtime prisoners, Hassan Salameh, Ibrahim Hamid and Abdullah Barghouti, Haaretz said.

Issa, 44, has been serving three life sentences since 1993 for his role in abducting and murdering border police officer Nissim Toledano and attempting to murder two other soldiers.

The newspaper reported the prison service said it was willing to cancel some prisoner sanctions, including the prohibition against continuing academic studies, keeping books and writing materials, and other rules affecting prisoners' day-to-day lives. Still up in the air are rules concerning visits of family members residing in Gaza.