Noam Shalit, whose son Gilad is a captive of Hamas, told Ynet Sunday that he was happy for the Goldwasser and Regev families following the approval of a deal for the release of their sons.

"I am happy that nightmare of the last two years is nearing its end for them," he said. He added that he did not think the deal should be seen as connected with the negotiations for his son's release. "Each case needs to be dealt with separately," he said.