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Israeli premier telephones father of captive soldier

Israel Materials 12 October 2011 00:11 (UTC +04:00)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday telephoned the father of the Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza since 2006 and told him he has reached a deal to free him.

Netanyahu told Noam Shalit that his son, Gilad, was "coming home" and that he made "made a promise and kept it," Israeli media reported.

Netanyahu's wife, Sarah, also had a highly emotional telephone conversation with Gilad Shalit's mother, Aviva, the reports said.

Netanyahyu's spokesman was not immediately available to confirm the telephone conversations, but a government spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, earlier confirmed the Israeli premier was convening his cabinet to vote on a prisoners' exchange deal, involving Shalit.

The premier reportedly told Shalit's father that he had a majority in the cabinet who would support the deal and vote in favour.

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