Israeli Minister of Strategic and Intelligence Affairs responsible for International Relations Yuval Steinitz announced they would release several Palestinian detainees as part of resumption of Middle East peace process.
Speaking to Israeli radio, Steinitz said on Saturday that Israel was prepared to release some "heavyweight" prisoners but could not accept Palestinian demands over the borders of their future state before talks begin.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that Israel and the Palestinians had laid the groundwork to resume talks after an almost three-year stalemate, however the deal was not final and required more diplomacy.
"There will be some release of prisoners," Steinitz told Israel Radio. "I don't want to give numbers but there will be heavyweight prisoners who have been in jail for tens of years." The release would be carried out in phases, he added.
Diplomatic sources said the negotiations would start in the coming week.
