The release of 227 Palestinian prisoners began on Monday afternoon, a move described by Israel as a gesture to the Palestinian Authority. The release sparked sharp criticism in Israel with some claiming that such steps have failed to bring Israel any closer to securing the release of IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.Prior to boarding buses that transported the prisoners to the drop off points in the West Bank and Gaza, they wre required to sign a form renouncing all terrorist activities.Prior to boarding buses that transported the prisoners to the drop off points in the West Bank and Gaza, they were required to sign a form renouncing all terrorist activities. The majorityof prisoners were arrested in 2007 with a
