Speaking on a visit to Modiin Tuesday, President Shimon Peres said that the deal to exchange some 1,000 terrorists for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was frozen because of decisions made by Hamas. "I cannot go into details, but I can say that I am convinced that the government of Israel is prepared to go very far in order to free Gilad, without, of course, excessive concessions. In my opinion, the problems with the deal are on the other side." Peres added that "we are determined to bring him home, and I appreciate the way everyone has come together on this issue."