Ramallah , West Bank ( CNN ) -- Israel released 26 Palestinian prisoners early Wednesday , part of an agreement that fueled new peace talks . The released prisoners were the second of four groups -- roughly 100 prisoners -- expected to be freed in a deal cobbled together by the United States to jump-start stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks . The Palestinian Prison Authority confirmed 21 prisoners were released shortly after midnight in the West Bank and another five were released in Gaza . Families of the prisoners were on hand in the West Bank , where cheers went up as buses carrying the prisoners arrived . But the prison release has angered some Israelis , who protested outside the West Bank prison where the inmates where held before their release . Oded Karamani said he sees the release of his brother 's killer as a betrayal . `` It makes me feel like I got stabbed in my back , and they turned the knife , and turned the knife , '' Karamani said . Ronen Karamani , 18 , was abducted in 1990 and stabbed to death near Jerusalem . Two Palestinians were convicted in connection with his murder . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the decision to free Palestinian prisoners one of the most difficult of his career . But many Israeli officials , including the defense minister , have said it is part of a long-term security strategy . Israel released more than two dozen Palestinian prisoners in August on the eve of new peace talks . Some of them had been held for more than 20 years . The first prisoner release came after Israel said it would forge ahead with a plan to build 900 housing units in East Jerusalem , which the Palestinians hope will be the capital of their future state . The issue of Israeli settlements derailed the last round of direct talks , in 2010 , and critics of Netanyahu say building on disputed territory could derail the new talks . Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the prisoners ' release , describing it as a `` day of joy . '' But he warned that there would be no peace agreement with Israel until all Palestinian prisoners had been freed . `` Our true joy will not be complete until we bring everyone out of prison , '' he told Palestine TV . Salma Abdelaziz and Saad Abedine contributed to this report .
NEW : Benjamin Netanyahu says there can be no peace deal until all prisoners have been freed . Palestine TV says a total of 26 prisoners have been released . It is the first time in 2010 that Ramallah has freed prisoners . The release is part of an agreement that jump-started stalled peace talks .