A Saudi Newspaper, Okaz, reported that a senior Arabic source said that
an Israeli security delegation is currently visiting the Egyptian
capital, Cairo, to discuss a possible deal for the release of the
abducted Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip
The deal, according to the paper, proposes the release of 1000 Palestinian detainees in exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit, who was abducted after resistance fighters infiltrated an Israeli military base near the Gaza borders on June 25; two soldiers and two fighters were killed in the attack.
The paper added that the deal proposes releasing 1000 detainees on three phases; after the soldier is freed, 350 detainees who are facing light jail terms will be freed, then 350 detainees facing medium-length terms, and the final batch – of 300 detainees facing extended prison terms will be freed ten days later.
Egypt will help carry the swap deal, the paper added.
Yet, a senior Egyptian source said that it is unlikely that Israel will free the jailed Fateh leader and previous legislator, Marwan Barghouthi.
“Barghouthi might be released in a paralleled deal that involves releasing all legislators and ministers Israel abducted recently.
This deal, according to Okaz is most likely to happen after the Palestinians reach a deal for a National Unity Government.
Okaz reported that Israel is seeking to oust the jailed Hamas ministers from the future Palestinian government.
Egypt has been conducting efforts to reach a prisoner swap deal between Israel and the Palestinians since the current crisis began following the abduction of the Israeli soldier.
The implementation of the deal, if all parties agree on it, depends on the events and developments in the region.
