Israel has approved the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners in a bid to bolster President Mahmoud Abbas in his power struggle with Hamas Islamists who control the Gaza Strip.
The prisoners, a fraction of the 11,000 Palestinians held, will be released in the occupied West Bank, where Abbas's government holds sway, before next month's Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, officials said of the decision, which was approved 13 to 5 by Israel's cabinet.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had promised to free the prisoners earlier this month during a meeting with Mr Abbas, who launched peace talks with Israel a year ago after Gaza's violent takeover by Hamas.
Israel has not said whether it would consider freeing high profile Fatah inmates such as uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi, who is seen as a possible successor to Mr Abbas as Palestinian president.
Nearly 200 prisoners were freed by Israel in August.
