Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in a nationally televised address that Gilad Shalit, captured by Hamas militants in 2006, will be "coming home in the next few days."
Earlier on October 11, Netanyahu had called an urgent session of the cabinet amid reports that Hamas militants were prepared to exchange a captured Israeli soldier for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was captured by militants in 2006 and taken into the Gaza Strip. Previous attempts to negotiate a deal with Hamas and free Shalit have fallen apart.
Israeli Radio reported this latest deal would see Shalit returned sometime in November and that Israel would release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The Reuters news agency cited an unnamed Hamas spokesman confirming a prisoner swap deal has been reached.
compiled from agency reports
Earlier on October 11, Netanyahu had called an urgent session of the cabinet amid reports that Hamas militants were prepared to exchange a captured Israeli soldier for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was captured by militants in 2006 and taken into the Gaza Strip. Previous attempts to negotiate a deal with Hamas and free Shalit have fallen apart.
Israeli Radio reported this latest deal would see Shalit returned sometime in November and that Israel would release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The Reuters news agency cited an unnamed Hamas spokesman confirming a prisoner swap deal has been reached.
compiled from agency reports