GAZA: Dozens of Islamic militants fired rifles in the air on Tuesday in a rousing homecoming for a member of the Palestinian national soccer team who was released by Israel after being held for three years without formal charges.
The player, Mahmoud Sarsak, 25, had staged a hunger strike for more than 90 days to press for his release, winning support from international sports organisations.
Israel accused Sarsak of being active in the violent Islamic Jihad group, a charge he denied.
During the hunger strike, Sarsak had lost nearly half his normal weight. He was released earlier Tuesday from a prison hospital.
Sarsak was arrested in July 2009 at a crossing between his native Gaza and Israel on his way to the West Bank for a soccer match.
Former Manchester United great Eric Cantona, British filmmaker Ken Loach and others signed a petition calling for his freedom. (AP)
