Israel has released Aziz Dwelk, the Speaker of the Palestinian parliament.

Mr Dwelk, who is a member of the Hamas movement, was arrested by Israeli authorities in 2006. This happened shortly after Hamas won the elections in the Palestinian Territories and Mr Dwelk was elected Speaker. He was then sentenced to three years in prison for being a member of an illegal organisation. Last week, a military tribunal ordered his release despite a request from public prosecutors that he be kept in prison.

Israel arrested more 60 Hamas politicians in 2006, among them 25 MPs. They did so after Palestinian forces abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from a Gaza Strip border crossing in June of that year. Gilad Shalit is still a prisoner and at least 35 of the arrested Palestinians are still in custody.

Photo from European Press Photo Agency (EPA)