Israel agreed to grant amnesty to 178 "wanted members of Fatah" in a bid to show its support for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas after his break with Hamas.

The amnesty was stated in a deal between the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel, in which Israel promises to stop chasing the fighters in the West Bank if they agree to disarm, according to Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli daily.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed the deal later Saturday, the report said.

Israel wants to isolate Hamas in the Gaza Strip while allowing funds and goods to flow to Abbas and Salam Fayyad's government in the West Bank.

Güncelleme Tarihi: 15 Temmuz 2007, 10:17