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Shalit supporters demonstrating Thursday.
 (Nir Kafri)
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Last update - 21:12 27/06/2009
Report: Arab sources also say Shalit to be handed over to Egypt soon
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Egypt, Israel News 

The Arabic language newspaper Asharq al-Awsat on Saturday quoted Arab officials as saying that abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will be moved to Egypt soon as part of a deal with Hamas to secure his release.

The report came two days after European officials claimed a breakthrough in negotiations to secure Shalit's release.

Israel Defense Forces corporal Shalit was kidnapped on June 25, 2006, in a cross-border raid from the Gaza Strip that left two of his comrades dead.
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On Thursday, Haaretz quoted European diplomatic officials as saying that Shalit would be transferred to Egypt in the coming days as part of an Egyptian-brokered prisoner exchange deal reached two days earlier.

According to Saturday's report in Asharq al-Awsat, Arab and European officials say Shalit will be transferred soon to Egyptian intelligence in exchange for the release of 400 Palestinian prisoners by Israel, most of whom women and children, as well as some Hamas members of parliament.

Despite the multiple reports about Shalit's imminent release, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday denied that progress has been made in negotiations to free the abducted soldier, Army Radio reported.

"What has been reported in the media does not reflect reality," Haniyeh was quoted as saying.

Shalit's transfer to Egypt would be the first stage of an Egyptian-brokered agreement backed by the United States.

The report said that the Palestinians would be released by Israel only after Shalit has been transferred into the hands of the Egyptian officials. Shalit's parents Noam and Aviva would then be allowed to meet their son in Egypt, followed by the release of the remaining Palestinian prisoners being freed by Israel, and the return of Shalit to Israel.

Israel is expected to release a total of 1,100 Palestinian prisoners under the deal, according to the sources.

Israeli security sources refused to comment on the report and said they were not aware of any progress on the matter. Palestinian sources also expressed doubts about the report.

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      1.   So, they`ve simply stopped talking to Israel, then? 14:36  |  Johnboy 27/06/09
      2.   Please G-d... 15:25  |  sandra chitayat 27/06/09
      3.   1,100 prisoners...How long till they are replaced? 15:40  |  Hank N Tennessee 27/06/09
      4.   Around and around the story goes 15:56  |  Mark Lincoln 27/06/09
      5.   obvious lie 16:43  |  dan 27/06/09
      6.   Hostages 16:53  |  Ray 27/06/09
      7.   it`s about time 16:53  |  John of Jordan 27/06/09
      8.   Thank President Jimmy Carter... 17:42  |  BBSNews 27/06/09
      9.   Freedom Shalet 17:50  |  Zaina Kayed Shehab 27/06/09
      10.   thorn in the side 18:18  |  Akiva P 27/06/09
      11.   debrief him and then 19:18  |  vik 27/06/09
      12.   we hope 19:29  |  Peyman 27/06/09
      13.   I would just ask... 19:33  |  ZS 27/06/09
      14.   to #2 19:42  |  boris 27/06/09
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      17.   Deleted by moderator 05:44  |  Ian 28/06/09
      18.   let`s all hope this isn`t just a media "rumor" 10:28  |  eric 28/06/09
      19.   Bringing back Gilad 10:37  |  Nili 28/06/09
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      23.   #20 Maureen I share your pessimism 21:52  |  Big Sur 29/06/09
      24.   #21 Ben Jabo BBS news has never hit it right on target 21:55  |  Big Sur 29/06/09
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