Israel Releases Nearly 200 Palestinian Prisoners
By VOA News
25 August 2008
Israeli officials say they have begun releasing nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners, just hours before a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Rice is to hold meetings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv Monday on peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Tuesday, she will travel to Ramallah for more talks.
Israel has described Monday's prisoner release as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The list of prisoners includes Israel's longest detained Palestinian, Said al-Atba, and Fatah Party lawmaker, Mohammed Abu Ali. Both were serving life sentences at Ofer Prison, near Jerusalem, for deadly attacks on Israelis.
Officials are taking the prisoners by bus to the Beitunya checkpoint near Ramallah. President Abbas is expected to welcome them in a formal ceremony later Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced plans to release the prisoners after talks with President Abbas early this month. The two leaders restarted peace talks in November 2007 with a goal of reaching a deal by the end of this year.
Palestinian officials have welcomed the prisoner release, but some are pessimistic about the chances of a broader peace deal by the end of the year.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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