398 MORE TERRORISTS ON THE LOOSE

Israel frees 398 Palestinians
TEL AVIV - Israel released 398 Palestinian prisoners on Thursday as part of a series of gestures it had agreed months ago to boost Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and promote diplomacy between the two sides months ahead of its planned pullout from the Gaza Strip. Most of the detainees had been nearing the end of their sentences and none had been found guilty of involvement in deadly attacks against Israelis.

The move comes weeks before Prime Minister Sharon and Abbas are set to meet for the second time as official leaders and ahead of an Israeli withdrawal from all 21 settlements in Gaza and four of 120 in the West Bank, slated to start in August.

Giving the "V" sign for "Victory, the first group was released at Gaza's Erez crossing, while the rest of the prisoners were set free simultaneously at four West Bank checkpoints.

Israel had originally planned to free 400 detainees but one requested to stay with his brother in jail and another asked to be allowed to remain in prison to take a matriculation exam.

THAT'S RIGHT. A PALESTINIAN STANDS A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING AN EDUCATION IN AN ISRAELI JAIL THAN HE DOES FREE UNDER THE P.A.