Israel has released Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Shaer, a top Hamas official, who was detained by the military more than a month ago.
A military judge ordered Shaer to be released citing a lack of evidence. Israeli officials had never brought charges against the most senior Hamas official in Israeli custody.
The deputy prime minister later returned to his home in the West Bank city of Nablus where he was greeted by dozens of supporters.
Israeli forces seized Shaer at his home on August 19 as they rounded up dozens of Hamas officials after Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip in June.
About 30 Hamas lawmakers and cabinet members are still in Israeli custody.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
