Israel has agreed to release 20 women prisoners in exchange for a video proving that Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier kidnapped by militants in a cross-border raid in 2006, is still alive.

The women prisoners could be as released as early as Friday if Corporal Shalit is still alive. The exchange was mediated by Egyptian and German diplomats. In June 2006, Gaza militants, including members of Hamas, tunnelled into Israel and attacked an army post, killing two soldiers and seizing Corporal Shalit in the process.