Israel approved on Sunday 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....
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had promised to free the prisoners earlier this month during a meeting with Abbas, who launched peace talks with Israel a year ago after Gaza's violent takeover by Hamas.
"This is a confidence-building measure," said Olmert spokesman Mark Regev.
...Nearly 200 prisoners were freed by Israel in August. Such releases are highly emotive for Palestinians, who regard prisoners as symbols of resistance to Israeli occupation.
U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Olmert and Abbas, rejected by Hamas, have shown little sign of progress.
Has peace come since the August release?
Who's confidence is being built: Israel's (naw); Fatah (naw); Abbas (naw); Olmert's (naw); Hamas (yeah!).
Who is really being bolstered? (see previous question)
Who's emotional?
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