A prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to take place soon, a Hamas official said, without providing further details.

Muhammad Attoun, originally from Jerusalem but currently banned from the city, told Ma’an that “we hereby confirm there will be good omens very soon and the occupation will yield, whether they like it or not, just as they did before.”

“I can confirm that there will be a deal soon to free our prisoners,” Attoun added, without providing specific details.

Prisoners freed in the Shalit deal who were rearrested must be released before any serious exchange discussions can take place, the Hamas official said.

(Ma’an – www.maannews.net)