What's happening with the Shalit deal?, ctd.

Al-Jazeera tries to figure out (عربي) why Hamas is being coy about Gilad Shalit's condition. I can't find an English translation, but the article basically suggests the public statements are a feint -- that there's real behind-the-scenes progress on freeing Shalit. It cites a few "security sources" who say Israel is getting ready to release a large number of Palestinian prisoners (especially women) from its prisoners.

That would align with the rumors last month that Hamas was preparing to release Shalit in a massive prisoner swap -- and it would suggest a deal really is imminent.

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