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Israel expected to nod Palestinian prisoner release

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-17 16:06

JERUSALEM -- Israel is expected to approve the release of about 150 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to the Palestinian government.

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Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has convened his Cabinet to vote on the plan. Earlier this month, Olmert promised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to free some of the 11,000 Palestinians held by Israel.

Olmert's office says the gesture is meant to show the Palestinians that they can win the release of prisoners through peaceful means.

Abbas' rival, the Hamas militant group, is demanding the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier held in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli media say Sunday's Cabinet vote is expected to include at least two Palestinians who were involved in deadly attacks against Israelis.