Tweet
Report: Shalit deal on verge of realization
Cabinet holds urgent session to discuss deal meant to secure release of Hamas-held IDF soldier. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV says Hamas agreed to deal; notes prisoner exchange may take place as early as November
Attila Somfalvi
Is the Shalit deal within grasp? Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya TV reported Tuesday that Egypt has made a breakthrough in its mediation of a deal meant to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, and that such an exchange may take place as early as November.
An Israeli official confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened his cabinet to discuss the prisoner exchange deal that would bring the Hamas-held soldier back home.
The prisoner swap would see Shalit exchanged for some 1,000 Palestinian militants held by Israel.
"The exchange deal of Palestinian prisoners for Shalit (will be) implemented at the beginning of this November, with Egyptian mediation," the television channel said, citing unnamed sources. It did not give further details.
Hamas' Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades Abu Ubeida said: "We are in the process of completing the technical arrangements to complete the deal within days."
A Hamas delegation led by a top Hamas official, Mahmoud Zahar, arrived in Cairo on Monday night from the group's headquarters in Syria. Gaza sources told Reuters that the swap may even take place "within the next few days."
Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, confirmed that the family was notified of the cabinet meeting. He gave no further details.
The cabinet is expected to vote on the deal later Tuesday night. Jerusalem sources told Ynet that it was "highly likely" that the cabinet would approve the deal by a majority vote.
Netanyahu's special eight-minister forum discussed the deal on Sunday and had apparently agreed on all of the deal's main points.
Shalit was captured in June 2006 in a cross-border raid by Palestinians terrorists near the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Elior Levy, Ahiya Raved, AP and Reuters contributed to this report
I'm approaching this one with mixed feelings. On the one hand, of course we want him back. On the other hand, is the price worth it? Of course, this could all be yet another disappointment. I'll wait for firm and concrete details and results first
Cabinet holds urgent session to discuss deal meant to secure release of Hamas-held IDF soldier. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV says Hamas agreed to deal; notes prisoner exchange may take place as early as November
Attila Somfalvi
Is the Shalit deal within grasp? Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya TV reported Tuesday that Egypt has made a breakthrough in its mediation of a deal meant to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, and that such an exchange may take place as early as November.
An Israeli official confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened his cabinet to discuss the prisoner exchange deal that would bring the Hamas-held soldier back home.
The prisoner swap would see Shalit exchanged for some 1,000 Palestinian militants held by Israel.
"The exchange deal of Palestinian prisoners for Shalit (will be) implemented at the beginning of this November, with Egyptian mediation," the television channel said, citing unnamed sources. It did not give further details.
Hamas' Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades Abu Ubeida said: "We are in the process of completing the technical arrangements to complete the deal within days."
A Hamas delegation led by a top Hamas official, Mahmoud Zahar, arrived in Cairo on Monday night from the group's headquarters in Syria. Gaza sources told Reuters that the swap may even take place "within the next few days."
Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, confirmed that the family was notified of the cabinet meeting. He gave no further details.
The cabinet is expected to vote on the deal later Tuesday night. Jerusalem sources told Ynet that it was "highly likely" that the cabinet would approve the deal by a majority vote.
Netanyahu's special eight-minister forum discussed the deal on Sunday and had apparently agreed on all of the deal's main points.
Shalit was captured in June 2006 in a cross-border raid by Palestinians terrorists near the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Elior Levy, Ahiya Raved, AP and Reuters contributed to this report
Comment