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Follow Us on TwitterEgypt, Israel ‘poised to agree prisoner swap’ 23Oct11 October 23, 2011
Ma’an News Agency - 22 October 2011
CAIRO (AFP) — Egypt and Israel are adding the “final touches” to a deal to swap an Israel-American detained in Cairo for Egyptian prisoners detained in Israel, the official MENA news agency said on Saturday.
“MENA has learned that the final touches are currently being made for a deal to swap Israeli spy Ilan Grapel, accused of spying on Egypt for Israel, for about 16 Egyptian prisoners and three detained children,” MENA reported.
Later Saturday, Egyptian state-owned daily Al Ahram reported that Egypt had secured agreement for 20 – 30 Egyptian prisoners be returned in exchanged for Grapel, citing a MENA report.
Al Ahram said the deal is likely to take place after a prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel concludes in two months, citing an Egyptian diplomatic source.
Grapel, who has been in custody since June 12, is accused of being an agent of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and of sowing sectarian strife and chaos in Egypt during the uprising which ousted president Hosni Mubarak in February.
Israel has strongly denied the claims, insisting the whole thing was a mistake and accusing Egyptian authorities of “bizarre behavior.”
On Monday, unnamed Israel officials told public radio that a deal was in the works to release a US-Israeli joint national held in a Cairo prison in exchange for 81 Egyptians held in Israel.
News of the alleged deal emerged the day before an Egyptian-brokered prisoner swap which saw Israel agree to release a total of 1,027 Palestinians in exchange for captive soldier Gilad Shalit.
Israel is holding 81 Egyptian prisoners, including three children, most of whom are facing criminal charges, including illegal entry to Israel, drug trafficking and arms possession.
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