Prisoner swap negotiator carries message from Israel to Hamas as deal gets closer

Up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners could be freed in exchange the Israel's lone soldier, according to the Wall Street Journal.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- A German mediator met with Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday to deliver Israel's latest counter offer for a prisoner swap, but the Islamic militant group's Syrian-based leadership is expected to have the final say.

The German mediator is seeking to clinch a long-anticipated swap of some 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for a single Israeli soldier.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum confirmed the mediator delivered the offer and said Hamas was considering it.

"We in Hamas are discussing this issue among our leadership, and when we finish, we will give our answer through the German mediator," he said, without indicating when the group would respond.

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