Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    JERUSALEM, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli cabinet has approved the release of between 150 and 220 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, local media reported.

    The Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying, "This is a gesture and a trust-building move aimed at bolstering the moderates in the Palestinian Authority and the peace process."

    The move, proposed by a ministerial committee headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon, was approved in principle by 16 votes to four. The three ministers from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz opposed the plan.

    The list of prisoners to be release includes two Palestinians classified by Israel as having "blood on their hands," referring to prisoners who participated in terrorist attacks resulting in Israeli fatalities, the Jerusalem Post said.