Israel set to free 550 prisoners

JERUSALEM. December 15. KAZINFORM Israel Prison Service (IPS) on Wednesday evening announced a list of 550 Palestinian and Arab prisoners, who are slated to be released as the second phase of a prisoner-swap deal between Israel and Hamas; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

"Pursuant to the Government of Israel's decision ... 550 prisoners will be released on Sunday," said an IPS statement.

After preliminary identification and medical checks, the prisoners will on Thursday night be escorted to two detention facilities, from where they will leave for West Bank and Gaza.

According to local Ynet news service, some 400 of them have already served two-thirds of their jail terms; Kazinform cites China Daily.

To learn more go to www.chinadaily.com.cn