HEBRON, April 17, 2007 (WAFA) - Thousands of Palestinians marched in the Gaza Strip and West Bank on Monday, marking the annual day of solidarity with prisoners, demanding release of their relatives and political leaders.

Demonstrators demanded that their leaders make the prisoner issue their top priority in dealing with Israel, in which more than 11,000 Palestinian prisoners are being arrested in its jails.

In Hebron, at least 3,000 Palestinians gathered to show solidarity with the prisoners on their national day.

All the Palestinian factions participated in the protests which were organized across the Palestinian territory. Families of prisoners held pictures of their imprisoned beloved ones as many others held pictures most prominent Palestinian prisoners.

In Nablus, another protest was organized where famlilies of prisoners took to streets and demanded the immediate release of all palestinian prisoners locked in israeli jails.

In Gaza, thousands gathered in front of the PLC building, which was decorated with posters of the most prominent prisoners.

The prisoners' families also called Tuesday for the release of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who went missing in Gaza more than a month ago.

"We reject the claim by any group that they may commit criminal and un-national acts in the name of the Palestinian and Arab prisoners," they said a statement.

according to official statistics, Palestinian 4,575 prisoners have not been tried, including 40 members of the PLC. 376 are under the age of 18, while the Israeli Prisons Authority gave that figure as 371.

A.D (22.20P) (19.20GMT)