Some 200 Palestinian prisoners are to be released from Israeli jails later this month.
The measure is an attempt to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas whose position has been weakened by last year's take-over of the Gaza Strap by Hamas Islamists.
Paul Chapman reports.SOUNDBITES:
Eli Yishai, Israeli Minister for Trade and Industry, saying (Hebrew):"To release hundreds of prisoners each time, including ones with blood on their hands, is a scandal and even decreases the chances of bringing Gilad Shalit home."
Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman, saying (Arabic):"The Israeli occupation's approval of releasing Fatah prisoners is an Israeli attempt to strengthen Palestinian internal division and to support one Palestinian party against another."
