Deal Reached To Free Israeli Prisoner For Hundreds Of Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called an urgent cabinet meeting Tuesday evening to approve an agreement reached with Hamas to release kidnapped soldier Sgt. Gilad Schalit.

“If all goes well, Gilad will return to Israel in the coming days, to his family and people,” Netanyahu told reporters, according to the Washington Post.

The deal between Israel and Hamas, which is being mediated by Egypt, may involve the release of 450 specific Palestinian prisoners and up to 550 more.  

On Hamas’ official website, they called on supporters to gather and celebrate the “victory and the expected release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.”

Schalit, 25, was captured by Palestinian militants in a cross-border raid on June 25, 2006.