JERUSALEM, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Israel freed 159 Palestinian prisoners Monday, the first batch of Palestinian released since the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

    The prisoners left a military prison in southern Israel on buses. They were to be taken to three areas in the West Bank and the main Israel-Gaza crossing point.

    Israel is estimated to be holding more than 7,000 Palestinians in its prisons. Enditem