China's PBC issues 449.2b yuan off reverse repo    H. Kong exports to Asia surge in June '25    H. Kong's trade volume jumps in June '25    Egypt's anti-drug body launches new awareness phase in Maspero Triangle    Agiba Petroleum starts production from Arcadia-28 at 4,100 BOE/day    Minister El-Shimy pushes for stronger returns, partnerships in real estate, construction sectors    Apparel, textile chambers engage with Chinese delegation to explore investment opportunities in Egypt    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Obama calls for aid access to Gaza, says 'no justification' for withholding food    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Shalit release imminent, claim Egyptian and Israeli press
Published in Daily News Egypt on 23 - 11 - 2009

CAIRO: Reports of the imminent release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have cropped up in both the Egyptian and Israeli press.
The news portal Masrawy ran a report that claimed that Shalit might be handed to Egypt during or right after the upcoming Eid holiday. The report also stated that a Hamas delegation headed by Mahmoud Al-Zahar headed to Cairo through the Rafah crossing Monday.
The Hamas delegation is due to head to Syria after the Cairo visit, where the Hamas leadership is located. It is believed that during Israeli President Shimon Peres' visit to Cairo Sunday, Israel handed over their final list of the Palestinian prisoners they were willing to exchange for Shalit.
Peres said after meeting with President Hosni Mubarak that progress had been made on this front but that "the details must be kept behind the scenes. Accompanying Peres on his Egypt trip was Israeli National Security Adviser Uzi Arad who met with Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman.
The Hamas journal Al-Risala stated that Shalit's release had stalled on one Palestinian prisoner Israel was not willing to release.
Shalit was captured in a raid in 2006 and his whereabouts have remained unknown ever since. Recently Hamas released a video of him addressing his family to prove he was still alive.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted Shalit's father Noam as telling reporters after meeting the Israeli negotiator Hagai Hadas, "We can t say anything at this stage, and there is nothing to add. We would be happy to include you in our joy, if that happens. I am still not reassured.
The Israeli embassy in Cairo did not have a comment regarding the Shalit issue when contacted by Daily News Egypt.
Last June, speculation did arise that Shalit was on the verge of release, with Palestinian and Egyptian reports claiming he would be released "within hours but Hamas and Israeli officials denied it, but claimed significant progress had been made.
In September, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal indicated while on a visit to Cairo to meet Suleiman that both sides were still a long way from a deal regarding Shalit.


Clic here to read the story from its source.