Israel, Hamas Agree to Swap Soldier, Prisoners

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Jerusalem- Palestinian leaders will release Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Shalit will return in a few days, after the Cabinet voted 26-3 in favor of the swap brokered by Egyptian mediators.

The deal calls for the release of 450 prisoners, followed by 550 in two months and 27 additional women. Imprisoned Palestinian lawmaker Marwan Barghouti is not among the prisoners scheduled to be released.

Shalit was captured more than five years ago after Palestinian forces tunneled into the Jewish state and attacked an Israeli military post. Shalit was 19 years old and is expected to be returned healthy and in good physical condition.

Source:


Reliability: 9

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