Israel to release 229 Palestinian prisoners

Israel will shortly release 229 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to the western-backed government of President Mahmoud Abbas, it was announced today.

The prisoners were to have been let out last week for the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday but Israel said that Palestinian officials asked for their release to be postponed until Mr Abbas returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca and was able to personally greet the freed prisoners.