Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel will free hundreds of prisoners as a goodwill gesture before an upcoming Muslim holiday.

Abas said at a conference in the northern West Bank town of Nablus on Saturday that Israel will release 250 prisoners before Eid al-Adha, an important Muslim holiday.

The holiday is expected to take place on Dec. 8. Muslims follow a lunar calendar, and the expected date of religious holidays can vary slightly.

Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced last week he'd release the prisoners.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli Prime Minister says Olmert is expected to set a release date after he meets with Abbas again.

The issue of thousands of prisoners are in Israeli jails is extremely sensitive for Palestinians. (the Jakarta Post)