Israel has agreed a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas to secure the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who will be 'coming home' in a few days, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday.
The source from the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, said the deal would be implemented "within days" and it was also confirmed by a source close to Hamas.
"A deal between Hamas and Israel has been reached with full Egyptian mediation on the implementation of a prisoner exchange within a week," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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He added that Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal was expected to deliver "an important address" in two hours, which was expected to address the long-awaited deal.
The confirmation came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his government to discuss what his office called a "serious proposal" for Shalit's release.
Shalit has been held since his capture by Gaza-based militants in 2006. Several rounds of talks over a prisoner exchange deal have stalled despite the efforts of mediators including Egypt and Germany to help the sides agree a release accord.
