Al-Quds city, Feb 21, SPA -- Israel freed 500 Palestinian prisoners ina good-will gesture Monday, a day after the government gavefinal approval to a pullout from Gaza and a revised routeof the West Bank separation barrier that would encompass atleast 6 percent of land claimed by the Palestinians for afuture state. With the historic Cabinet vote, Israel began charting itsfinal borders, bypassing negotiations and angering thePalestinians. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the decisionto leave Gaza and four settlements in the northern WestBank was the hardest he ever made, but would ensure abetter future for Israel. Sharon signed an order saying Israeli civilians would haveto leave the areas slated for evacuation by July 20. Thoseremaining would be removed by force over a period of twomonths. Settler leaders have pledged not to leavevoluntarily, and security officials are bracing for violentconfrontations.--SPA1322 Local Time 1022 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/241130