Israel allows Palestinian prisoner release

Israel has released nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners, including two convicted killers of Israelis.

Said al-Attaba, 56, was jailed in 1977 for killing an Israeli woman and Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Ali, 51, was imprisoned in 1979 for killing an Israeli reservist.

The goodwill gesture, which is intended to bolster Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, ...

Washington had aimed to achieve a Middle East peace deal by the year's end, but the target is looking inceasingly unlikely as relations between Israel and the Palestinians have been strained in recent months.

Some Israelis have also condemned the release, believing the decision conveys weakness.

Palestinians are known to be unhappy at illegal Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.