GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - A Hamas leader says Israel's agreement to release a notorious Lebanese militant may provide an opening to free its members convicted of killing Israelis.

Mahmoud Zahar says Hamas should take advantage of Israel's decision "to release people whom Israel accused of having blood on their hands, like Samir Kantar."

The Lebanese Kantar is serving multiple life sentences for his part in a 1979 attack that killed an Israeli man, his two daughters and two policemen. The Israeli government approved his release Sunday in a swap deal with the Hezbollah militant group, in return for the bodies of two Israeli soldiers.

Hamas is negotiating with Israel over an Israeli soldier held since 2006. Israel has refused to release many of the prisoners Hamas wants in return, saying they were involved in killing Israelis. -AP