AL QUDS, Dec 12: The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved in principle to free Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture towards Egypt after it last week released an Israeli Druze who had been jailed for espionage, public radio reported.

There were no details on when or how many of the estimated 8,000 Palestinians being held by Israel would be released, although the report said no prisoners "with blood on their hands" would be freed.

A statement issued by the Israeli prime minister's office after the release of Azzam Azzam last week said Ariel Sharon had "ordered the relevant security authorities to consider the possibility of shortening the prison terms of Palestinian prisoners in accordance with previously determined criteria."

Azzam, who served seven years of a 15-year sentence for spying, was freed in an exchange which also saw six Egyptians accused of planning to kidnap and assassinate Israeli soldiers returning to their homeland.

Palestinian negotiations minister Saeb Erakat, meanwhile, called for talks with Israel to reach agreement on who should be freed. -AFP