Hamas demands for the release of its leader, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, and 200 Hamas prisoners were rejected by Yitzhak Rabin, then prime minister.

After all this, of course, there will come the day when we will have to release Palestinian prisoners, including Hamas prisoners.

Fatah's Sha'ath, also speaking in Gaza, said preparations were underway to release dozens of Hamas prisoners being held in the West Bank.

Hamas prisoners had their beards cut and some - including the current foreign minister, Mahmoud Zahar - were reportedly tortured.

There were also reports that Jordan was demanding the release of many more Hamas prisoners in exchange for the two supposed Mossad agents being held by Jordan.

There were reports that in reponse to the attack, Mr. Arafat would soon release the Hamas prisoners he was holding and allow 16 Hamas institutions he had closed to reopen.

Many Hamas prisoners complained that they were abused and subjected to humiliations.

In a separate seating section, women in Islamic dress clapped and sang along, and mothers of Hamas prisoners held framed portraits of their sons.

Elsewhere I was told about another doctor, who expressed shock at the condition of a Hamas prisoner brought to a Gaza hospital after being tortured.

The statement ruled out any talks on a political accord with the authority until it halted its crackdown, freed all Hamas prisoners and brought to justice those responsible for abuses.