This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-15267100

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Israel emergency cabinet discusses new Shalit deal Israel and Hamas agree deal to free Sgt Gilad Shalit
(40 minutes later)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has convened an urgent cabinet meeting over a "serious proposal" for the release of captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal for the release of Sgt Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held hostage by Palestinian militants for five years.
Israel Radio said the deal could see Sgt Shalit freed in early November in exchange for about 1,000 Palestinian militants held by Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal had been reached after arduous talks, and that Sgt Shalit would be back with his family "within days".
Gilad Shalit was captured in a cross-border raid in 2006 and taken to Gaza. The soldier was captured in a cross-border raid in 2006 and taken to Gaza.
Repeated attempts to reach a deal for his return with the militant group Hamas which runs Gaza have broken down.Repeated attempts to reach a deal for his return with the militant group Hamas which runs Gaza have broken down.
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Jerusalem says sources in Gaza suggest the leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, is also expected to make a speech later. But Mr Netanyahu said in a national TV address: "We have concluded arduous negotiations with Hamas to release Gilad Shalit. He will be coming home in the next few days."
However, our correspondent urges caution, saying there have been many rumours of a release for Sgt Shalit in the past. It is thought that the deal will involve Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners in return for Sgt Shalit.
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Jerusalem says sources in Gaza suggest the leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, may also make a speech later.
It is hard to overstate how important the fate of Gilad Shalit is to Israel.
Almost every family in the country has a son or daughter serving in the military. Shalit's capture resonates with them all. He is probably the most recognisable figure in the country.
It is for that reason that the government is ready to swap him for - according to Hamas officials -1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
But after so many false dawns why now? The timing is important because Hamas has been on the back foot in recent months after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's attempt to get Palestinian membership at the UN gained huge support in the occupied territories.
This is their way of showing that their more violent approach to the conflict can also win results. What will be key politically for both sides is how many high-profile prisoners Israel has been ready to give up.
Our correspondent says Sgt Shalit's family and the families of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails will not believe a deal has been done until their relatives are home.
'Window of opportunity''Window of opportunity'
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a special meeting of the government for tonight at 20:00 (1800 GMT)," an Israeli official told AFP.
"On the agenda is the possible release of Gilad Shalit. The prime minister would not be calling such a special meeting if he didn't think there was a serious proposal on the table," he added.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted an unnamed official in Mr Netanyahu's office saying that "a brief window of opportunity has been opened" that could lead to Gilad Shalit's release.The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted an unnamed official in Mr Netanyahu's office saying that "a brief window of opportunity has been opened" that could lead to Gilad Shalit's release.
The official added: "The window appeared following fears that collapsing Mid-East regimes and the rise of extremist forces would make Gilad Shalit's return impossible."The official added: "The window appeared following fears that collapsing Mid-East regimes and the rise of extremist forces would make Gilad Shalit's return impossible."
Indirect talks over 25-year-old Sgt Shalit's release - being mediated by Egypt and Germany - have centred on a prisoner exchange. An Israeli source involved in the talks was quoted by Reuters as saying that the deal calls for 1,000 Palestinians prisoners to be freed in two stages - the first involving the release of 450 for the soldier, with the remaining 550 freed later.
Israel's Channel 2 TV reported that both sides had shown greater flexibility in recent talks.
Indirect talks over 25-year-old Sgt Shalit's release - being mediated by Egypt and Germany - have focused on prisoner exchanges.
In October 2009, Hamas released a video of the soldier calling on Mr Netanyahu to do everything to free him.In October 2009, Hamas released a video of the soldier calling on Mr Netanyahu to do everything to free him.
Some of the 5,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel have been convicted of serious crimes, but others are being held without charge.