Whoa! Israeli cabinet backs release of Palestinian prisoners

PM Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial proposal had split the cabinet, with 13 voting for and seven against. The cabinet also backed a bill requiring any peace deal with the Palestinians to be put to a referendum.

Palestinian sources have suggested peace talks, stalled since 2010, could restart next week.

'Tough decisions'
Some 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners will be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process.

In addition to the votes for and against in cabinet, there were two abstentions, a government official said. One source told Associated Press that two ministers from Mr Netanyahu's Likud Party voted no.

Some of the prisoners have carried out militant attacks that claimed Israeli lives and were jailed for up to 30 years.
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More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23482540

Wasn't watching.
Didn't see this coming.