Israel Radio: Israel has relayed its response on swapping Palestinian prisoners for soldier

Israel relays its response to Hamas swap offer

JERUSALEM — Israel Radio says the government has relayed its response to a Hamas proposal to swap Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier captured by the militants.

The radio did not give details of the Israeli answer. Hamas has demanded that Israel trade 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for the Israeli soldier, the 23-year-old Sgt. Gilad Schalit, who has been held for 3 1/2 years.

Senior Israeli officials who met in a marathon session that ended early Tuesday announced no decision on the deal.

But the fact that no further meetings were due indicates that a response has been agreed on.

The Israeli response would likely be handed to Hamas through a German mediator who is acting as a go-between on the deal.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel Radio says the government has relayed its response to a Hamas proposal to swap Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier captured by the militants.

The radio did not give details of the Israeli answer. Hamas has demanded that Israel trade 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for Israeli soldier, the 23-year-old Sgt. Gilad Schalit, who has been held for 3 1/2 years.

Senior Israeli officials who met in a marathon session that ended early Tuesday announced no decision on the deal.

But the fact that no further meetings were due indicates that a response has been agreed on.

The Israeli would likely be handed to Hamas through a German mediator who is acting as go-between on the deal.