Gaza NGOs shut down by Hamas

Israeli officials released five Lebanese teenaged-prisoners today, as part of a prisoner swap that began last month with Hezbollah. The youth were allegedly detained for throwing stones and other objects. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to release some 150 more Palestinian prisoners later this month, after meeting today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli human rights groups estimate that Israel holds some 8,500 Palestinians in jail in Israel, including an estimated 300 minors. Abbas and Palestinian negotiators are requesting the release of Marwan Barghouti, who Israel sentenced to jail for life, and for the release of Ahmed Saadat, a leader of the group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Meanwhile, in the Gaza Stript, the Hamas-dominated government has ordered the closure of dozens of community-based NGOs, sports clubs and Fatah offices. The closures follow a recent car blast that claimed the lives of three Hamas fighters. FSRN's Rami Almeghari in Gaza has more.

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