Freed Palestinian prisoners get $50,000 each, plus other aid

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel in the current round of peace talks each get $50,000 and other benefits from the Palestinian Authority, officials said.

Since talks with Palestinians resumed in July, Israel has released 52 Palestinian prisoners held for various offenses.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's government promised to free 104 prisoners in four groups during the nine-month framework allotted for the peace talks.

In addition to receiving $50,000 upon release, the Palestinians will get monthly payments of up to $3,900 from the Palestinian Authority, Israel Radio reported.

The duration of the monthly payments was not reported.

A senior Palestinian official said the money is given to help the freed prisoners adjust to their new lives.

Israeli officials said the 52 prisoners were held for offenses committed before the signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords aimed at resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.