BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- has announced plans to build more than 15-hundred Jewish settlement homes in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Officials say Wednesday’s decision is the final approval needed, and construction can begin immediately. The construction plans have drawn angry condemnations from Palestinian officials. They accuse Israel of undermining the US-led talks by expanding settlements on the lands where they hope to establish an independent state. UN chief has condemned the Israeli decision. And the US says the move will not create a "positive environment" for the negotiations.

The decision comes hours after Israel freed 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners who were convicted of murdering Israeli citizens. The prisoners are the second of four groups scheduled to be freed in the coming months. Their release is part of a US-brokered agreement to restart peace talks between the two sides.

(Source: CNTV.cn)