[JURIST] Israel released 500 prisoners Monday in a 'goodwill gesture' that was first proposed at the Sharm al-Sheikh summit held nearly two weeks ago and was approved by the Israeli parliament [JURIST report] last Sunday. The 500 prisoners are the first to be released under the new truce; 400 more are expected to be released in the near future. Palestinian groups are demanding the release of all the estimated 8,000 Palestinian captives [Palestinian Prisoners' Society advocacy website], but Israel has pledged only to release those not arrested in connection with deadly attacks. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also presented his cabinet selections to the parliament for approval on Monday. The selection process was reportedly long and drawn out, but the parliament eventually accepted all of Abbas' recommendations. The Jerusalem Post has local coverage.