A delegation of the Palestinian Hamas movement, headed by politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, arrived in Cairo on Tuesday amid reports of negotiations with Israel over a prisoner exchange deal, dpa reported.
Meshaal's arrival in Cairo came a few days after a visit by David Meidan, who was appointed to handle the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Shalit has been held by Hamas since a 2006 cross-border raid that also killed two Israeli soldiers.
Palestinian sources were quoted in al-Hayat newspaper on Tuesday as saying that Israel is now more flexible regarding the release of detainees, including those from east Jerusalem.
Sources said Hamas is demanding 1,000 prisoners to be released in return for Shalit.