ISRAEL is preparing to release 477 Palestinian security prisoners today in order to secure the freedom of captive soldier Gilad Shalit following a landmark deal with Hamas.

IRISH Nobel Peace Laureate Mairéad Maguire yesterday lost a legal appeal to prevent her deportation from, and 10-year ban on entering, Israel.

ISRAEL is redrawing the route of its West Bank barrier closer to its borders to try to ensure Palestinians are not cut off from their lands in line with an Israeli High Court order, security sources said yesterday.