Israel releases 26 Palestinian prisoners in bid to revive long-stalled peace talks

Israel has released 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners as part of an American-brokered deal allowing the resumption peace talks between the two countries.

According to the BBC, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greeted 11 prisoners sent to the West Bank, while crowds met the other 15 in Gaza.

Israeli and Palestinian representatives will begin direct talks in Jerusalem after a three-year interval.

The released prisoners were then driven to the Muqataa presidential compound in Ramallah, where they were kissed and embraced by Abbas.

They prayed at the tomb of the late Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, before joining the president on a podium to cheers from hundreds of people waiting to see them.

In a speech, Abbas said he would not rest until all the prisoners from Israeli jails are freed.

According to the BBC, Israel has agreed to free a further 78 long-serving prisoners as part of a deal to revive the peace process.

The releases will take place in four phases over a period of nine months, depending on progress in the talks, the report added.