THE Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, said yesterday that Israel was considering freeing the spiritual leader of Hamas, the Islamic militant group, but had made no commitment to do so.
"We did not commit ourselves at any stage on the freeing of Sheikh (Ahmed) Yassin. We are always checking the issue based on his illness. We are weighing the issue but there were no commitments, Mr Netanyahu told reporters.
"In contrast, there were obligations towards treeing of female (Palestinian) prisoners in the framework of the agreement. But a specific date was not set and it will certainly be set in the future."
It was not clear which agreement he was referring to. Israel reaffirmed its commitment, to release Palestinian prisoners in a deal finalised last week that led to the transfer of 80 per cent of the West Bank town of Hebron to Palestinian rule on Friday.
The Palestinian president, Mr Yasser Arafat, on his triumphal entry to Hebron on Sunday, said Israel would "soon" release the wheelchair-bound Mr Yassin (60). He said the women prisoners would be released in a few days.
Israel holds some 5,000 Palestinian prisoners. About 20 are women.
The Israeli Public Security Minister, Mr Avigdor Kahalani, said after visiting Mr Yassin in December that there was room to discuss freeing him. Mr Yassin, paralysed and in poor health since an accident when a young man, was jailed by Israel for life in 1989 on charges of founding Hamas.
In Rome, yesterday, Mr Arafat urged Israel to be flexible in future talks on a lasting settlement between Arabs and Jews.
"The peace we are looking for... will face many risks and threats," he told a congress of the Socialist International.
Mr Arafat said obstacles included "attempts to impose de-facto policies from one side on a number of major issues to be discussed at the final status negotiations".
The fate of the Jews in Hebron and other West Bank settlements is due to be decided in "final status" talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority scheduled to be completed by May 1999.
The long-delayed Hebron deal, the first between Mr Arafat and Mr Netanyahu, was signed after, months of negotiations and arm-twisting by the United States.