The Palestinian Authority Monday declared it would free 100 prisoners to boost unity talks with Hamas. "Based on the instructions of President Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Palestinian security forces, the Interior Ministry will free 100 security detainees," security forces spokesman Adnan al-Damiri was quoted as saying by AFP.

"We do not say that we have Hamas detainees. We have detainees with security-related charges." However, according to security officials, the detainees are members of Hamas.

On its part, Hamas said Sunday it had freed 20 detained Fatah members, but Fatah claimed since then Hamas-run security agents have detained more than 90 members. Hamas has denied the allegations.