CAIRO, Feb 19 (NNN-KUNA) — The Arab League has affirmed it is closely monitoring the issue of some 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Assistant Secretary-General for Palestinian and Arab Occupied Lands Affairs Mohammed Sabeeh made the comment to reporters following a meeting Thursday with the Palestinian minister tasked with the prisoners issue, Issa Qaraqa.

He said that the Arab League had been briefed on the number of the prisoners, their numbers, their distribution in Israeli prisons — some kept secret — and methods of torture used against them.

He also said that the Arab League places huge significance on the Israeli captured prisoner Jilad Shalit held by Palestinian faction Hamas, an issue on which an agreement could be reached with the Israelis to release Palestinian prisoners.

Sabeeh said it was sad that nations were discussing the release of a captured armed soldier, neglecting the fate of thousands of Palestinians, some categorically civilian, including children and women.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that none of those accused of assassinating former Israeli minister Rehavam Ze’evi will be released.

The ‘Yediot Ahronot’ newspaper quoted the Israeli premier as saying that all those who took part in the assassination of Ze’evi eight years ago would not be freed anytime during Netanyahu’s term in office.

Israelis hold Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Ahmad Sa’adat and his associates accountable for the murder of Ze’evi, which took place on Oct 17, 2001, which came in retaliation for Israel’s assassination of former PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa.

Israeli forces stormed into a Jericho jail where Palestinian authorities were holding the suspects and transferred them to an Israeli prison in 2006.

Netanyahu’s statements come at a time when Hamas is demanding the release of Sa’adat as part of the prisoners exchange deal to free the Israeli soldier held by Hamas, Gilad Shalit.

Israeli reports also said that Netanyahu asked Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev to inform Hamas that Tel Aviv would stick to the names listed in the offer presented three months ago, which Hamas declined.

Israel’s “final offer” excluded the names of the leaders of Palestinian factions, including Sa’adat, along with those of the leaders of the Ezzidin Al-Qassam’s Brigades, affiliated to Hamas.

– NNN-KUNA

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