Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that his government is still trying to reach an agreement with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) which will include the release of Sergeant Gilad Shalit. The Israeli soldier has been held in Gaza since 2006 and it is expected that a deal to have him released will involve an exchange for possibly hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

In a statement issued by his office on 25th August, Mr. Netanyahu added that he had issued instructions to the security services to make every possible effort to return the soldier to Israel. The statement follows criticism by Sergeant Shalit's family condemning the Prime Minister's stance and claiming that the government is not doing enough to secure Shalit's release and is thereby endangering him.