TEL AVIV, August 17 (RIA Novosti) - Israel approved on Sunday the early release of some 200 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the press office of the Israeli cabinet said.
Israel holds about 11,000 Palestinians in its prisons, including women and children, and the release of some of them is expected to bolster the Israeli-Palestinian dialog and strengthen moderates in the Palestinian leadership.
Two of the Palestinians to be freed were jailed 30 years ago for deadly attacks on Israelis.
An Israeli government official said the release would take place around August 25 before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
