A Hamas spokesman has claimed progress is being made in a deal to free a captured Israeli soldier in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. On Sunday, Abu Obedia, a Hamas spokesman, was reported to have said on Israeli public radio that there had been "a breakthrough". Both sides, however, are clear that nothing has been finalised. Obedia said: "There is an important breakthrough in contacts for the release of the captured soldier Gilad Shalit. If these contacts continue in the current direction, the exchange of prisoners could happen very soon."
But Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator, has said talk of a deal is premature and Miri Eisin, the Israeli spokeswoman, declined to comment, saying: "We never give out information on this sensitive issue". Erakat said: "According to my information, it's too early to talk about a deal at the moment."