Group: Israel expands list of West Bank settlements to receive subsidies

JERUSALEM — An Israeli anti-settlement group says the government has expanded its list of West Bank settlements eligible for subsidies.

Israel's Cabinet decision Sunday came just days after Israelis and Palestinians restarted peace talks and is bound to anger the Palestinians.

A government official says the Cabinet approved a range of subsidies for more than 600 Israeli communities deemed "national priority areas," expanding an earlier list.

The anti-settlement group Peace Now says the new list added five settlements, for a total of 90. It says most are in areas Israel would likely have to evacuate to make way for a Palestinian state.

An Israeli government official said subsidies for settlements require additional approval.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Israel will free next week the first of four groups of long-held Palestinian prisoners slated for release as part of a deal to restart peace talks, the chief Palestinian negotiator said Sunday.

Negotiations began in Washington last week, and are to continue in Jerusalem next week.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a statement that 26 prisoners will be freed Aug. 13.

Israel's chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, told Israeli television Saturday that the first group of Palestinian prisoners will be released sometime before negotiations resume next week. Livni did not specify the number of prisoners Israel would release.

An Israeli government spokesman declined comment.