The Israeli government has approved the release of another 26 Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered deal for the resumption of peace talks.

According to report, they will be the second round of prisoners to be freed since August.

The prisoners were all convicted of murders committed prior to the 1993 Oslo accords between Israel and the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation).

Israeli and Palestinian officials resumed direct talks in Jerusalem in August after a three-year Peace talks broke down in 2010 amid disagreement over the issue of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Negotiations resumed in August this year and have been taking place on and off behind closed doors.

The release of the remaining prisoners is expected to take place in four tranches over a period of nine months, depending on progress in the talks.