The head of Germany's BND intelligence agency, Ernst Uhrlau, confirmed on breakfast television Friday that his agents helped to arrange a planned prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas but gave no details, dpa reported.
Hamas is expected to release abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit next week in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinians.
A supportive role had been accorded the BND, which had tasked "highly qualified and experienced employees who have very good knowledge of the Middle East," Uhrlau told an ARD television news programme.
"If an outcome is obtained that enables Shalit to return after five and a half years to his family as soon as possible, then it is a big success," said Uhrlau. "If Germany and the BND prove to have played a part, we are proud of that."
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