GAZA CITY: Diplomatic efforts were underway Sunday, with strong hints that a deal may soon be announced to secure the release of prisoners from both sides. The Palestinian prime minister said Saturday there is lots of movement in negotiations over the release of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas-allied militants. Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of the Islamic Hamas movement, spoke before a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials involved in the negotiations. The soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, was seized during a cross-border raid in June. Earlier this week, a Palestinian newspaper reported that Shalit s captors have handed a letter purportedly written by Shalit to Egyptian mediators who then delivered it to his family. Shalit s father, Noam, declined to respond directly to the report, but said Friday he has received no sign of life from his son. Haniya signaled Saturday that progress was being made. There is a lot of movement on this issue, but I can t say until now that there is something specific to discuss, he told Associated Press Television News. We want to listen to our Egyptian brothers. Hamas demands the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, in exchange for freeing Shalit. AP
