Israel names prisoners to be freed in swap

JERUSALEM - Israel and Hamas on Sunday published the names of 477 Palestinian prisoners to be released next week in the first stage of a historic deal to secure the freedom of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Details of the prisoners' identities were made public just 48 hours before the exchange was expected to occur, although the specific details of how the handover would take place were still being worked out, officials said.

Under terms of the agreement which was signed last Tuesday, Israel will free a total of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of Shalit, who has been in captivity in Gaza for more than five years.