Israel lists Palestinians to be released from prison

Israeli Cabinet ministers today approved a list of 256 Palestinian prisoners due to be released this week in a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, officials said.

David Baker, an official in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office, said the ministerial committee approved the release 7-2. He said the names of the prisoners would be published later today, giving Israelis 48 hours to file legal challenges. But the prisoners are all expected to be freed on Friday, Mr Baker said.