(Wikimedia Commons)

Israel has consented to release 104 Palestinian prisoners in four stages, during nine months set aside for negotiations between the two Middle-Eastern countries.

In return for the prisoners, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu is approving new West Bank settlement construction plans. This compromise marks the return to peace talks after five years of silence.

The Palestinians wanted to establish a state comprised of a united West Bank and east Jerusalem. Israel captured the land from Jordan in 1967 and has already built settlements for about 550,000 Israelis.

Just last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas toured Europe to encourage its leaders not to support Israel’s continued building on the West Bank.  

Reach Executive Producer Anne Artley here.