Israel is planning to go ahead tomorrow with the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners that was delayed by back-to-back Palestinian suicide bombings earlier this week.
Israel called the release, which involves detainees held for criminal charges such as car theft or illegal entry into the Jewish state, a gesture to bolster a US-backed peace plan. Iraeli army radio said about 80 prisoners were to be freed.
Palestinians said the move was a sham and did not go far enough. They are demanding amnesty for 6,000 prisoners held by Israel, including militants and others they consider political detainees.
Israel had been due to free 76 prisoners on Tuesday but held off on orders from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office after two Palestinian suicide bombers killed two Israelis in central Israel and the West Bank.
Israel released more than 330 Palestinian prisoners last week, including dozens of militants and others who had been arrested in sweeps in the West Bank and Gaza Strip during a 34-month-old uprising for independence.