GAZA, March 5, 2011 (WAFA) - Abdul Nasser Farwaneh, a former prisoner and a researcher in prisoners affairs, said that the number of Palestinian prisoners who have been in Israeli jails for over 25 years has now reached 30.

He said in a statement that Muhammad Hasani, from Gaza, has joined the list of longest serving Palestinian prisoners.

Nael Barghouti, from Ramallah, arrested in May 1978, is currently the longest serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails.

The Palestinian Authority had said that it will not accept any peace agreement with Israel that does not include release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israel, whose number is around 8,000.

Hamas, whose armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades holds an Israeli soldier, said it will exchange the Israeli soldier for at least 1000 prisoners as long as they include the longest serving prisoners, women, children and the top leaders of the Palestinian resistance movement.

RQ./M.A.