Israel to free 250 prisoners before Muslim holiday

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that Israel will free hundreds of prisoners as a goodwill gesture before an upcoming Muslim holiday. Abbas said at a conference in the northern West Bank town of Nablus that Israel will release 250 prisoners before Eid al-Adha, an important Muslim holiday. The holiday is expected to take place on December 8. Muslims follow a lunar calendar, and the expected date of religious holidays can vary slightly.