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.