Jericho – Ma’an – The International Conference on Palestinian Prisoners began in Jericho on Tuesday, attended by delegations representing local and international human rights organizations.

Also in attendance was caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who delivered a speech thanking the participants and addressing current Palestinian detainees: "I say to you that you are not alone and we will stand by you until you are released.”

The conference on Palestinian prisoners was sponsored by the Palestinian Authority, who stated that the conference's aim was to mobilize international support for the right to freedom of Palestinian detainees and their recognition as Prisoners of War in accordance with the Forth Geneva Convention and international treaties ratified by Israel.

Fayyad highlighted that, "The death of over 200 detainees inside Israeli prisons as a result of medical negligence, torture or deliberate killing, or as a result of beatings or injury from live bullets, calls for the need to investigate the causes and to put an end to Israeli inhumane and oppressive practices, mainly by allowing specialized and neutral medical committees to take responsibility for providing proper medical care for sick detainees.”

Meanwhile, Hamas official and former Finance Minister Omar Abdel Razek, said that the PA did not call on any Islamic lawmakers or representatives from the West Bank to participate in the prisoners' conference.

Abdel Razek told Ma'an that, "We are surprised by this move especially as the majority of the deputies of the Islamic bloc have experience as prisoners and can convey the true image at the conference and contribute to its success,” describing the reason for not being invited as "totally political" and likely to deepen the internal split.

The former finance minister added that Israel recently detained 45 Palestinians affiliated with Islamic movements, 15 of whom remain detained by Israel.

The conference follows media speculation that a prisoner exchange deal is being finalized by Hamas with German mediation, to secure the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. It is rumored that among the Palestinian prisoners to be released is jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.

PA Cabinet supports Jericho conference

During their Tuesday session, the Palestinian Authority caretaker government cabinet stressed its determination to continue the diplomatic and media campaign for international recognition of the situation of Palestinians in Israeli jails. The move, minutes from the cabinet meeting revealed, is going forward in an attempt to realize the release of all those detained in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

The Cabinet also condemned what it said was the Israeli decision to prevent participants from Gaza to travel to the West Bank and participate in the Jericho event.