Atalla Abu Al-Sabach, Hamas's Minister for Prisoner Affairs, said on Wednesday that nine women left in Israeli custody following Tuesday's first phase of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange will be released in a few days, as a result of Egyptian involvement. Interviewed by Qudsnet, Abu Al-Sabach made it clear that if Israel did not intend to free the women, Shalit would not be freed.

Saleh Al-Arouri, the Hamas politburo member in charge of prisoner affairs, also said the release would take place in a few days. He said that the Egyptians promised that the women would be released before the second phase of the release