GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- A Palestinian familiar with the talks says Israel and Hamas are very close to a deal to swap 1,000 Palestinians for an Israeli soldier held for more than three years by the Islamic militant group.
Israeli President Shimon Peres confirmed there was progress in the prisoner swap talks, his spokeswoman said Monday.
A senior Hamas delegation led by strongman Mahmoud Zahar and two top members of the group's armed wing crossed into Egypt from Gaza Monday as Israeli military helicopters hovered overhead.
The Palestinian close to the talks says Egyptian and German mediators hope to complete the deal this weekend. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were ongoing.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
Severe Weather![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
