Egyptian news sources reported Thursday that a deal for the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is imminent. The report, in the “Al Masrayun” newspaper, said that Israel and Hamas were set to sign a deal in which Israel would release about 1,200 terrorists in exchange for Shalit. The report said that Israel had thus agreed to release the full number of terrorists demanded by Hamas. The story quoted former Egyptian ambassador to Israel Mohammed Bassyouni as confirming the story.
The report did not say if top terrorists Abdullah Barghouti, Hassan Yussuf, Ahmad Sa'adat, and Marwan Barghouti would be included in the deal. Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, told reporters that he was unaware of any deals. The Prime Minister's office said that it was also unaware of progress, but that "intensive efforts" to free Shalit were continuing
The report did not say if top terrorists Abdullah Barghouti, Hassan Yussuf, Ahmad Sa'adat, and Marwan Barghouti would be included in the deal. Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, told reporters that he was unaware of any deals. The Prime Minister's office said that it was also unaware of progress, but that "intensive efforts" to free Shalit were continuing