Egyptian official: Talks on Shalit swap deal resume

An Egyptian security official told Haaretz over the weekend that talks on the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit were ongoing. "We have invested great effort in the past, we're investing in the present, and we will invest in the future so as to secure a deal," the official said.

Talks on the Israeli side are still being led by Ofer Dekel, who was put in charge of these contacts by former prime minister Ehud Olmert. Last week, before the Passover holiday, Dekel met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to update him on the talks' progress, shortly before Netanyahu met with the soldier's parents, Noam and Aviva Shalit. Dekel was not present at the meeting between Netanyahu and the Shalits.

Israeli security officials told Haaretz last week that Netanyahu was considering appointing another defense establishment official to Dekel's position as special coordinator. "Netanyahu has to recalibrate the system, and everyone is waiting for his decision," a security official said.

"Our contact has been Ofer Dekel. However, the selection of another person is of course an Israeli matter, and we will of course be in contact with whomever fills the position," an Egyptian official said.

Negotiations between Hamas and Israel over a prisoner swap had gone into high gear during the last days of the Olmert administration, but fell short of a deal. Since the talks stalled, senior Hamas figures have abstained from mentioning the matter in public, which might be construed as a sign that there is no real progress in the talks.