10 February 2005	Thursday	30 Zilhaj 1425

RAMALLAH, Feb 9: Israeli prison authorities in the military jail of Ketziot, in the Negev desert, have informed 344 Palestinian prisoners they are to be released early next week, an inmate said on Wednesday.

"The prison authorities presented us with a list of 344 names of detainees to be released on Monday," the source said in a telephone conversation.

"Most of those to be freed would have completed their sentences in a few months anyway," he added.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli prison service or from the army.

Israel said last week it would release 900 Palestinian prisoners - with a first batch of 500 to be freed shortly. None of those to be released are murder convicts.-AFP