This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6281604.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Israel approves prisoner releases Israel approves prisoner releases
(about 5 hours later)
Israel's cabinet has approved plans to release 250 Palestinian prisoners in a show of support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel plans to release 250 Palestinian prisoners in a gesture Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says will boost moderate elements among the Palestinians.
Israel's PM Ehud Olmert had reached a deal with Mr Abbas at a recent summit. Israel's cabinet approved the move and a final list of prisoners - all linked to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party - will now be drawn up.
He is now set to approve a formal list of prisoners to be freed, all expected to belong to Mr Abbas' Fatah faction. Mr Abbas last month formed an emergency cabinet that excluded Hamas Islamists.
Mr Abbas formed an emergency government after Hamas fighters seized control of the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel and Western nations to resume formal ties. The Israeli move is the latest show of support for the new cabinet, the BBC's Bethany Bell reports from Jerusalem.
"We want to use every means that can strengthen the moderates within the Palestinian Authority," Mr Olmert said, speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. Mr Abbas formed an emergency government based in the West Bank after Hamas fighters overran the Gaza Strip, overcoming their rivals from Fatah.
The releases would be part of a strategy to create conditions for the start of "meaningful discussions", he added. Israel and Western governments welcomed the move, lifting an aid embargo on the Palestinian authorities imposed in response to Hamas' refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
'Significant names'
"We want to use every means that can strengthen the moderates within the Palestinian Authority," Mr Olmert said at the start of a weekly cabinet meeting.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders reached a deal at a recent summit
He said the releases could eventually lead to "meaningful discussions" with the Palestinians.
Israel had already transferred more than $100m (£50m; 74m euros) to Mr Abbas - funds frozen after being collected in taxes from Palestinians.
It also pledged to lift some travel restrictions for Palestinians within the West Bank.
The final list of 250 prisoners has yet to be drawn up and could still be challenged in the Israeli Supreme Court.
An aide to Mr Abbas said the list should include significant names - not just prisoners whose sentences were coming to an end.
Mr Olmert and Mr Abbas had reached a deal on the release of prisoners at a recent summit in Egypt.
'Divisive policy'
Hamas criticised the Israeli decision, saying it was too selective.
"All Palestinian male and women detainees have the right to be freed," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told the Reuters news agency.
He said the release of Fatah-affiliated prisoners reinforced Mr Abbas' policy to deepen the divide between his organisation and Hamas.
About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge.About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge.
The last time Israel freed a significant number of Palestinian prisoners was in 2005, when almost 400 were released as part of a ceasefire deal.The last time Israel freed a significant number of Palestinian prisoners was in 2005, when almost 400 were released as part of a ceasefire deal.