Israel frees hundreds of Palestinian prisoners

Ali Daraghmeh, Tulkarem

The prisoner release the final part of an Israeli pledge to free 900 prisoners as part of the February 8 truce and the summit could help the sides move toward coordinating Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this summer. Pledges to co-ordinate the pull-out have made little progress.

In neighbouring Jordan, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was released from hospital after undergoing a heart procedure. Mr Abbas, who has a history of heart trouble, told reporters he felt "just fine".