From AP via Fox News:
JERUSALEM “” Israel’s Cabinet on Sunday approved the release of 400 Palestinian prisoners, a long-overdue gesture Israel had agreed to as part of a Mideast truce package.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Cabinet that the prisoner release would strengthen Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and “the moderate forces in the Palestinian Authority.” Sharon’s appeal meshed with recent U.S. efforts to shore up Abbas in the face of severe challenges from Palestinian militants.
The ministers voted 18-3 to approve the release. A ministerial panel will now meet to compile a list of those eligible to be freed. No one directly involved in deadly attacks on Israelis would be released, but Israel might be more flexible than in the past and free prisoners who haven’t completed two-thirds of their terms, a government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of his position.
The Palestinians want Israel to consult them on which prisoners to release.
“This is not enough,” Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. He also asked that Israel resume handing over West Bank cities to Palestinian control immediately, as it pledged to do as part of the February truce package…
Can anything the Israelis do ever be “enough?”