Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today ratified a deal with Egypt that secures the release of alleged Israeli spy Ilan Grapel, who was imprisoned four months ago in Cairo, reported Israeli media. Grapel will be released in exchange for 25 Egyptian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronot reported, adding that the deal will be executed on Thursday. The deal is also an attempt to strengthen Egyptian-Israeli relations, the paper added. Recently Egypt helped secure an exchange deal between Israel and Hamas wherein Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was returned in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Cabinet will meet on Tuesday to ratify the deal with Egypt, the Israeli Prime Minister's office today said. Grapel has not committed any violations against Egypt, reported Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon. He also called on Egyptian officials to take necessary measures to release the Israeli prisoner and return him to Israel. The U.S. has been conducting calls with Egpyt, Yedioth Ahronot reported, adding that the issue is quite sensitive. Meanwhile, Oudi Tarabin's attorneys today criticized the Israeli government for ignoring Tarabin in concluding its deal to secure Grapel's release. Tarabin is also held in Egypt on charges of espionage. “It is a shame that Israel leave Tarabin in Egyptian prisons because he has Bedouin origins,” his attorneys said today in a press conference. Tarabin's family announced their intention to send a message to Hamas' Prime Minister Ismail Haneya demanding that they help secure the release of their son. The family claims that Haneya is ready to help release prisoners.
