The Israel cabinet on Tuesday, 27 Tishrei approved the Ilan Grapel prisoner exchange deal, calling upon Israel to release 25 non-security prisoners in exchange for Grapel, who is being held by Egypt. Officials explain that none of the prisoners being release, 22 adults and 3 minors, are imprisoned for security related crimes.

A government statement to the press adds that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has instructed authorities to do their utmost to actualize the release of Israeli citizen Ouda Tarabin, who has been imprisoned in Egypt for over 11 years. Tarabin was apprehended entering Egypt with weapons and taken into custody.

Speaking to Israel Radio today, MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, a former defense minister, explained that he spoke with former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak a number of times regarding Ouda, adding that he is still unclear as to why he is being held and the circumstances surrounding his case – adding even as defense minister he never really received satisfactory answers.

Government ministers voted unanimously in favor of the deal, unlike the Shalit deal which was opposed by Ministers Lieberman, Landau and Ya’alon.

The Grapel deal is expected to take place on Thursday, 29 Tishrei. A report anonymously quoting “a senior Egyptian security official” on Tuesday morning stated Grapel, who was charged with espionage, will be brought to the Taba Crossing to Israel under extremely heavy guard, and released at the crossing, most likely after dark.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)