Israeli ministers clear Palestinian prisoners for release

Occupied Jerusalem: An Israeli cabinet committee on Sunday approved that 250 Palestinians be freed as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Officials said only two ministers voted against the move.

The Israeli cabinet approved the prisoner release in principle on November 30 following a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas.

More than 11,000 Palestinians are still held in Israeli prisons.