In a conversation with students at Kibbutz Yotvata on Wednesday, President Shimon Peres said that the problem in finalizing a deal for Gilad Shalit is not on the Israeli side, but the Arab side. Peres expressed concern that while the internal debates continue between the Hamas leadership in Gaza and Damascus - Gilad Shalit is not released.

Peres noted that the price the government will pay as part of a deal will be high and difficult.