Israeli Families Attempt to Block Palestinian Prisoner Exchange in Court

By Jonathan Ferziger and Gwen Ackerman -

Israeli opponents of a planned exchange of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for a captive Israeli soldier made a last-ditch legal attempt today to block the deal.

Israel’s High Court of Justice heard arguments to halt the swap with the Islamic Hamas movement from lawyers representing Israeli families whose relatives have been killed in Palestinian attacks. The session was adjourned and a decision will be announced later today, said court spokeswoman Ayelet Filo.

Barring a court injunction, Israel is expected to release 477 Palestinians tomorrow in exchange for Shalit, 25, who has been held by Hamas since being captured more than five years ago, Israel Prison Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman said. Another 550 Palestinian prisoners will be freed within the next two months, according to the agreement. Hundreds of soldiers were moved to the south yesterday to prepare for the exchange.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-16/israeli-families-attempt-to-block-palestinian-prisoner-exchange-in-court.html