DHAKA: The Israeli government has approved the release of another 26 Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered deal for the resumption of peace talks.

They will be the second round of prisoners to be freed since August.

A statement from the Israeli prime minister`s office said the inmates had all been jailed for violence committed before the 1993 Oslo accords.

Israeli and Palestinian representatives began direct talks in Jerusalem in August after a three-year hiatus.

As part of the process, Israel has agreed to release 104 long-serving Palestinian prisoners.
Behind bars

The names of the latest group of detainees set for released were published on the Israel Prisons Service website on Sunday.

Officials say the release will take place at least 48 hours after the publication of the list, during which time Israelis will have the opportunity to submit legal challenges against the decision.

The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s office said the inmates due to be freed had spent between 19 and 28 years behind bars.

The 26 Palestinian inmates previously released by Israel were taken by bus in the early hours of 14 August to the Beitunia checkpoint in the West Bank and the Erez crossing with Gaza.

Correspondents said they were mobbed by relatives, friends and well-wishers, who see them as heroes of the Palestinian cause.

The release of the remaining prisoners is expected to take place in four tranches over a period of nine months, depending on progress in the talks.

Few details have been published about the second phase of releases.

An Israeli official said last week that the move would be accompanied by an announcement over the continued construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The issue halted the last direct peace talks in September 2010, and has overshadowed the latest negotiations. Palestinian representatives have accused Israel of trying to sabotage the discussions.

However, the talks have been continuing behind closed doors.

Palestinians cancelled a session at the end of August after three Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces in Qalandiya refugee camp in the West Bank.

A number of Israelis have also been killed in the past two months in what Israel characterises as "terror attacks" in the West Bank.

Source: BBC
BDST: 1210 HRS, OCT 28, 2013
RS/BSK