CAIRO: An Israeli envoy on Tuesday concluded his first round of talks with top Egyptian intelligence officers in efforts to free an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, officials said.
Egypt has been mediating attempts to trade hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel for Sgt. Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Hamas-allied militants three years ago in a cross-border raid from Gaza. Shalit has not been seen since then, and the Red Cross has not been permitted to visit him.
The officials said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s special envoy, Hagai Hadas, met Tuesday with Egypt s powerful intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and his senior aides. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.
It was the first visit to Egypt by Hadas, a former Mossad spy agency official who was appointed after Netanyahu took office in March. Netanyahu s office refused to comment. Hamas is seeking the release of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel, many of whom are serving lengthy terms for allegedly taking part in deadly attacks. Israel has said Hamas demands are excessive.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told an Israeli newspaper last weekend that Netanyahu s predecessor, Ehud Olmert, came close to reaching a deal shortly before leaving office, but that he changed his mind and talks broke down.
Last week, Mubarak announced that Shalit was in good condition and expressed hope he would be released soon. However, he gave no details on where he got his information.
A Hamas official later dismissed Mubarak s comments as wishful thinking.
