Israel to free 26 Palestinian prisoners

Israel announced it will release 26 veteran Palestinian prisoners ahead of a resumption of peace talks on Wednesday, but at the same time angered Palestinians by approving new settlement construction.
A special ministerial committee announced late Sunday it had approved the 26 prisoners to be released "following the government decision to renew peace talks with the Palestinians," according to a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The names of the prisoners -- most of whom were arrested for killing Israelis and Palestinians suspected of collaboration with the Jewish state -- were published early Monday morning.
They are expected to be freed ahead of the start of talks Wednesday in Jerusalem between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators.
The 26 constitute the first batch of a total of 104 long-term Palestinian and Israeli Arab prisoners to be freed in four stages, depending on progress in the talks.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat underlined the importance of the prisoner release for peace talks to continue.
"We hope to put into effect what we've agreed on... we hope for the release of 104 prisoners. Each will return to his house. This is what we've agreed on," he told Israeli Arabic-language radio on Monday.
"There is a clear understanding between us and the Americans and Israelis. Any change (in that) will mean the agreement is off the table."