Israelis, Palestinians Set To Start Peace Talks

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WATCH: Israel releases palestinian prisoners in goodwill gesture.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are preparing to reconvene long-stalled U.S.-brokered peace talks.

The two sides are set to meet on August 14 in Jerusalem at the King David Hotel at a time still to be confirmed by both sides.

The session is expected to focus on setting the agenda for the talks.

Overnight, Israel released 26 Palestinian prisoners as part of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's initiative to return both sides to negotiations.

Many of the released prisoners had been convicted of killing Israeli civilians and suspected Palestinian collaborators.

Israel has pledged to release 104 Palestinian convicts in four batches, contingent on progress in peace talks.

An initial round of talks was held in Washington last month.

Kerry said August 13 he was confident the talks would move forward, despite Israeli announcements about further settlement building in Palestinian-claimed East Jerusalem and the West Bank.


Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP


Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP