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Egypt to free alleged Israeli spy Grapel in swap deal Egypt frees alleged Israeli spy Grapel in swap deal
(about 2 hours later)
An Israeli-American held by Egypt as an alleged spy is to be released in exchange for 25 Egyptians held in Israeli prisons. Twenty-five Egyptians freed by Israel have crossed the border into their home country, as part of deal with Cairo in return for the release of Ilan Grapel.
Ilan Grapel is expected to arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport later on Thursday and be greeted by his family. Mr Grapel, an Israeli-American, boarded a flight to Tel Aviv and is expected to arrive later on Thursday.
The Egyptians were being moved to the Taba border crossing with Egypt ahead of the swap. The 27-year-old has been held by Egypt since June after being accused of spying for Israel.
Egypt accused Mr Grapel of spying for Israel, but Israel and his family said he was working for a charity in Cairo. Israel and his family deny the claims against Mr Grapel, saying he was working for a charity in Cairo.
His relatives say he made no attempt to disguise the fact that he had served in the Israeli army during its war in Lebanon in 2006. Mr Grapel's relatives say he made no attempt to disguise the fact that he had served in the Israeli army during its war in Lebanon in 2006.
There has also been widespread scepticism in Egypt that Mr Grapel really was an Israeli spy.There has also been widespread scepticism in Egypt that Mr Grapel really was an Israeli spy.
He was arrested on 12 June and accused of trying to stir up sectarian strife in Cairo on behalf of the Israeli spy agency Mossad.He was arrested on 12 June and accused of trying to stir up sectarian strife in Cairo on behalf of the Israeli spy agency Mossad.
The Egyptian prisoners to be released in exchange for Mr Grapel are described as Bedouin and include three children. Egyptian state television showed some of the Egyptians bowing down in prayer as they arrived on Egyptian soil, Reuters reports.
They are believed to be mostly smugglers, asylum seekers and people looking for work. The Egyptians had been moved to the Taba border crossing ahead of the swap.
The Egyptian prisoners, which include three children, are believed to be mostly smugglers, asylum seekers and people looking for work.
Israel stressed in its statement that none of the Egyptians had been involved in security-related crimes.Israel stressed in its statement that none of the Egyptians had been involved in security-related crimes.
Israel's security cabinet approved the exchange on Tuesday. On Wednesday the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a victims' rights group against the swap, saying it was a political decision outside the court's jurisdiction.Israel's security cabinet approved the exchange on Tuesday. On Wednesday the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a victims' rights group against the swap, saying it was a political decision outside the court's jurisdiction.
A similar appeal against the release of Sgt Gilad Shalit was also rejected.A similar appeal against the release of Sgt Gilad Shalit was also rejected.
Last week Israel released the first batch of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli soldier.Last week Israel released the first batch of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli soldier.
He had been held by the militant group, Hamas, which controls Gaza, since 2006.He had been held by the militant group, Hamas, which controls Gaza, since 2006.
It appears the deal to release Mr Grapel was negotiated around the same time as the Shalit exchange, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem.It appears the deal to release Mr Grapel was negotiated around the same time as the Shalit exchange, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem.
It shows that Egypt is still capable of dealing with Israel on business-like terms and reminds regional rivals such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia that Cairo's influence is real, despite the change of government, our correspondent says.It shows that Egypt is still capable of dealing with Israel on business-like terms and reminds regional rivals such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia that Cairo's influence is real, despite the change of government, our correspondent says.