CBNNews.com - Israel released 198 Palestinian prisoners Monday, among them two convicted murderers.

After being freed from Ofer Prison, the prisoners were transported to the Beitunya checkpoint north of Jerusalem, from where they traveled to Ramallah and a welcoming ceremony.

On Sunday, the High Court rejected a petition submitted by Almagor, an organization representing victims of terror, to prevent the prisoner release.

Naftali Wurzberger, Almagor's attorney, presented documentation to the court of which prisoners had served less than two-thirds of their sentences.

Of the 198 prisoners released, 11 served up to one-fourth, 16 one-third, 24 less than half and 19 less than two-thirds of their sentences.

The head of Almagor, Meir Indor, testified that 180 Israelis have been killed by Palestinian prisoners released before completing their sentences.

Meanwhile, at the ceremony in Ramallah welcoming the prisoners, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the crowd there would be no peace until every prisoner has been set free.

"There will be no peace without the release of all Palestinians imprisoned in Israel," Abbas said. "We will not rest until the prisoners are freed and the jails are empty," he said.

Palestinians serving time in Israeli jails have been convicted of participating in terror attacks.

Source: The Jerusalem Post