Israel on Wednesday released from jail a former Palestinian minister for prisoners’ affairs, Wasfi Kabha. Kabha was one of about 40 ministers and members of parliament loyal to Hamas arrested by Israel following the abduction by Hamas of soldier Gilad Shalit to hold as a bargaining chip in negotiating Shalit’s release. Efforts to do so have so far failed and Israel has released some of the captive government members. Fourteen remain in custody.