Ilan Grapel told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Thursday evening, that he was aware of efforts to free him from Egyptian detention. Speaking to Netanyahu during a meeting in the Prime Minister's Office, hours after his release, the American Israeli said "That's what kept me going during the difficult times."

Also taking part in the meeting was Congressman Gary Ackerman of New York who helped formulate the deal to release 25 Egyptian criminal prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for Grapel.