Israel to free 250 prisoners before Muslim holiday

The Associated Press , Nablus Sat, 11/22/2008 7:31 PM World Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel will free hundreds of prisoners as a goodwill gesture before an upcoming Muslim holiday.Abas said at a conference in the northern West Bank town of Nablus on Saturday that Israel will release 250 prisoners before Eid al-Adha, an important Muslim holiday.The holiday is expected to take place on Dec. 8. Muslims follow a lunar calendar, and the expected date of religious holidays can vary slightly.Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced last week he'd release the prisoners.A spokeswoman for the Israeli Prime Minister says Olmert is expected to set a release date after he meets with Abbas again.The issue of thousands of prisoners are in Israeli jails is extremely sensitive for Palestinians.