Reports of a deal between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of Sergeant Shalit, an abducted Israeli soldier, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni congratulated the Shalit family following the Cabinet's approval of the prisoner exchange deal that would see their son Gilad Shalit released from captivity. "Today a heavy load has been lifted from our shoulders,

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday called Noam Shalit, the father of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, and said France "warmly welcomes the announcement of an agreement that should lead to the release of Gilad Shalit." Sarkozy also thanked all

Reports of a deal between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of Sergeant Shalit, an abducted Israeli soldier, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal for the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held hostage by Palestinian militants for five years.