Israeli representative Haggai Hadas has resigned from his post as negotiator for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hadas informed the Shalit family Wednesday evening that he was resigning for personal reasons and family commitments. He reportedly shared his decision with the German negotiator a day earlier, according to Channel 2 television news.
The 58-year former Mossad operative was named to replace previous negotiator Ofer Dekel in May 2009.
Negotiations for Shalit's release have been sluggish for months, although the German negotiator met last month in Damascus with Khaled Mashaal before meeting with Hadas in Israel.
Shalit has been held by Gaza-based Hamas terrorists, who abducted him near the Kerem Shalom Crossing, since June 25, 2006. His whereabouts and condition remain unknown.