Hamas confirms reaching prisoner swap deal with Israel

A spokesman for the armed wing of Hamas confirmed on Tuesday a prisoner swap deal had been reached with Israel in exchange for soldier Gilad Shalit.

Abu Ubeida, the spokesman, told Reuters: "We are in the process of completing the technical arrangements to complete the deal within days". He spoke as Israel's cabinet met in extraordinary session to debate the deal to free the soldier held captive in Gaza since June 2006. (Reuters)