While Israeli politicians are exercising restraint, providing little information to the media regarding ongoing efforts to strike a deal for the release of Gilad Shalit, the Arab media continues releasing reports, optimistic and otherwise, including a report published in a Saudi Arabian newspaper that a prisoner release deal will most likely be completed by the end of the month.

The report goes on to state that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will inform PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the impending deal when the two attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The Saudi report adds that the prime minister will release 450 Hamas prisoners and an additional 550 Arab prisoners affiliated with various terror organizations.

It also states that the cabinet has approved the release of Fatah Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti in the second stage of the release deal, adding Defense Minister Ehud Barak informed the PA prime minister of this fact.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)