Israeli premier telephones father of captive soldier
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.
