In pictures: Prisoner release

Israeli guards escort Palestinian prisoners before their release at Ofer Prison

Israel has released 198 Palestinian prisoners in a move intended to bolster Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli vehicle before their release

Israel is still holding about 8,500 Palestinians, according to official Israeli figures. The Palestinian Authority says 11,000 Palestinians are behind bars in Israel.

Palestinian waves from bus leaving Beituniya checkpoint

The prisoners were released just a few hours before US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Israel seeking to push forward peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Palestinian woman at Beituniya checkpoint

The freed prisoners were greeted by friends and relatives at the Beituniya checkpoint between in the West Bank barrier.

Palestinian kisses the ground at Beituniya checkpoint after his release

The prisoner release is controversial in Israel because it includes two convicted killers of Israelis.

Said al-Attaba

One of those is Said al-Attaba (pictured), who was jailed in 1977 for killing an Israeli woman. The other is Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Ali, who was imprisoned in 1979 for killing an Israeli reservist.

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