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The US has urged the Palestinians "not to react adversely" to Israel's approval of 1,200 new settlement homes only days before peace talks resume, BBC reported.

Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday's move was "to some degree expected", but stressed that Washington considered settlements "illegitimate."

This "underscores the importance of getting to the table quickly", he told reporters during a visit to Colombia.

Palestinian negotiators have accused Israel of trying to sabotage the talks.

An Israeli government spokesman rejected the criticism, saying every peace initiative so far had proposed that the settlements affected become Israeli territory.

Hours later, the Israeli authorities published the details of the 26 long-term Palestinian prisoners who will be freed on Tuesday.

The delay allows time for last-minute legal challenges by the families of their victims, who have been protesting against the decision.