{{Israel on Tuesday began releasing 26 Palestinian political prisoners, on the eve of renewed Mideast peace talks that have faced challenges even before they started.}}
Buses carrying the prisoners and bound for the Palestinian territories left the Ayalon
jail in central Israel late Tuesday, according to the Israeli prison service.
The prisoners were expected to receive a hero’s welcome in the West Bank and Gaza.
The release of the prisoners, most of whom were jailed in connection to deadly attacks, has been painful for some Israelis. They were freed late at night to prevent a media spectacle.
The move was part of an agreement brokered by US Secretary of State John Kerry to get Israel and the Palestinians back to the peace table after a five-year freeze in negotiations.
In all, 104 Palestinian convicts are to be released in four batches, although their freedom is contingent on progress of the talks that get underway in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
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