Will Gilad's parents see him soon? Photo: Avishag Shear-Yeshuv
Palestinian paper says Shalit deal finalized
Prisoner swap's details have been finalized, sides await Netanyahu government's approval, Palestinian newspaper al-Manar reports; Shalit expected to be transferred to Egypt in first phase of deal
Coming back home? A swap for the release of IDF captive Gilad Shalit has been finalized and awaits Israel's approval, Palestinian newspaper al-Manar reported Saturday.
According to the report, all details of the deal have been worked out and the parties are now waiting for the Netanyahu government to endorse the agreement.
GIlad Shalit
Time to close the deal / Eitan Haber
Politicians have said all there is to say by now; nation is ready for Shalit swap, Eitan Haber says
The United States and Syria played a key role in finalizing the deal, the paper said, nothing that this involvement prompted both Israel and Hamas to show more flexible positions.
According to the newspaper, the first phase of the deal will see Shalit handed over to Egypt following the release of Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank and Gaza. Sources in the know are quoted as saying that Israeli officials have expressed great reservations over the heavy price to be paid by Jerusalem in exchange for Shalit. Hence, the sources said, both PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak wish to see a broad public campaign that would pave the way for the deal's approval.
Newspaper sources reported that Hamas' military commander, Ahmed al-Jabari, said the group has completed all the technical preparations ahead of the deal. Jabari added that he and other senior Hamas figures will be staying in Egypt for a few days as part of the efforts to complete the swap.
According to the report, an Israeli medical team is awaiting orders to head to al-Arish, in the Sinai, in order to examine Shalit.
RSS
