Israel's cabinet voted Sunday to release 200 Palestinian prisoners at the urging of outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Following the ouster of the Palestinian National Authority's security forces by Hamas from the Gaza Strip in June 2007, the Palestinian political map has seen many changes.

By Donald Macintyre At least two civilians were reportedly among eight Palestinians killed in Gaza yesterday by Israeli forces as Ehud Barak, the Defence Minister, warned that a "widespread" military operation in the Strip was "getting closer".

Text of report in English by Palestinian Ma'an New

JERUSALEM _ The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday approved the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners in what Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said was a move to strengthen Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the aftermath of Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip.