Israel to ease restrictions during Ramadan

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel has announced steps to ease restrictions on Palestinians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins Friday or Saturday.

One of the steps calls for the release of 30 prisoners for the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the holy period.

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Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer authorized the moves Wednesday, saying that Israel is interested in easing restrictions for Palestinians who do not take part in terrorist activity.

The steps include:

-- Easing restrictions on travel in the West Bank, including opening of roadblocks and certain roads

-- Extending the Rafiah border crossing's operational hours

-- Expanding the fishing area to 12 miles off the coast of Gaza

-- Resumption of prison visits in Israel for West Bank families

-- Authorization for visits of families in the West Bank and Gaza by relatives from Arab states

-- Increasing to 5,000 the number of Palestinian merchants permitted to enter Israel

-- Adding extra Muslim days at the Cave of the Patriarchs, and permission for worshipers from the West Bank and Gaza to attend Friday prayers on the Temple Mount.