BEIJING, Spet. 28 -- In the Middle East, Israel, on Wednesday, freed the Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister. Naser Shaer was held without charge for more than a month and says nothing's better than being free.

    Naser al-Shaer, was the highest ranking among Hamas officials detained in a dragnet after Gazan gunmen abducted an Israeli soldier on June 25th. He was also the first to be released by the Israeli government. Israeli officials had no immediate comment on the release. Shaer's lawyer, Osama al-Saadi, said a military tribunal had determined there was not enough evidence to keep Shaer jailed.

    Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad said Israel must now release all Hamas ministers and lawmakers from jail.

    Ghazi Hamad, Hamas spokesperson said, "I think this proves that the arresting of the all ministers and the parliament members was wrong. It was taken as a political blackmail from the Israeli government so I expect that the Israeli government should release all of these people because they have nothing to do against them. They have no charge against them. They cannot bring any proof against the ministers and the parliament members."

    Crossing through the Hawara checkpoint near the town of Nablus, al-Shaer was greeted by his family members and friends.

    Thirty-one Hamas legislators are still in Israeli custody. Israel has charged the 21 Hamas members with belonging to a "terrorist group" and posing a security threat against Israel.

(Source: CCTV.com)