Israel frees 26 Palestinian prisoners before long-stalled Mideast peace talks

A newly released Palestinian prisoner is greeted by his relatives and friends after his arrival at the presidential headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah on August 14, 2013. Twenty-six Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in the West Bank City of Ramallah and the Gaza Strip early Wednesday. <Xinhua/NEWSis>

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, waves with the released Palestinian prisoners, at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Wednesday, Aug. 14 , 2013. Israel released 26 Palestinian inmates, including many convicted in grisly killings, on the eve of long-stalled Mideast peace talks, angering families of those slain by the prisoners, who were welcomed as heroes in the West Bank and Gaza. <AP/NEWSis>