Israel lists names of 26 Palestinians to be freed

    
Israel has published the names of 26 Palestinian prisoners who are to be released later this week as part of a U.S.-brokered deal that led to a resumption of Mideast negotiations.              
Twenty-one in the group were convicted of killing Israelis or suspected Palestinian collaborators, while others were involved in attempted murder or kidnapping. Most have already served 20 years.                

Israel's Prison Service posted the names online early on Monday to allow two days for possible court appeals.            

The prisoners are seen in Palestinian communities as heroes while many Israelis view those involved in killings as terrorists.                

Meir Indor, who heads a group of Israeli victims' families, says it's a "sad day for bereaved families and for Israeli society."                

Peace talks are to start Wednesday in Jerusalem, after a five-year freeze.          


AP