Israel frees Palestinians as Kerry ready for peace bid

Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners yesterday, days before US secretary of state John Kerry was due back in the Middle East to press the two sides to reach a framework peace deal.

Israel agreed to release a total of 104 Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered package that in July revived peace talks after a three-year break. Yesterday’s release was the third of four groups to go free.

On Friday, an Israeli official said plans would be announced after the release to build 1,400 homes forIsraeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, territory Palestinians seek for a state along with the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.