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JERUSALEM -- Israel and Hamas announced an agreement on Tuesday to exchange more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for five years, a deal brokered by Egypt that seemed likely to shake up Middle East politics at a time when the region is immersed in turmoil. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel told his nation in a live address on television that the soldier, Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit, who was captured in June 2006 at the age of 19, could be home ''within days,'' ending what has been widely seen in Israel as a national trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article reports on the possible delay in prisoners swap between Palestine and Israel as Palestinians call for the release of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti with other prisoners in exchange for Israeli Sergeant Gilad Shalit. Hamas officials say that Israel objected to some prisoners on their lists and wanted to deport freed prisoners. Supporters of Barghouti believe he could resolve the conflict between the Fatah and the Hamas. Israeli technology minister Daniel Herschkowitz added that the release of Barghouti could end terrorism.

The article reports that Tel Aviv, Israel has been accused by Cairo, Egypt of obstructing negotiations in a prisoner swap with Islamist Palestinian group Hamas. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gheit states that Israel is still trying to gain from the exchange which involves its soldier Gilad Shalit. The release of some 1,000 Palestinians has been demanded by Hamas.

Seeking to lower expectations of an imminent deal with the Islamic group Hamas to exchange a captured Israeli soldier for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said Tuesday that no agreement had yet been reached. ''There is still no deal, and I do not know if there will be one,'' Mr. Netanyahu said as he toured the national police headquarters here. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article reports that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has defended his government's decision to have an exchange deal with Lebanese group Hezbollah. Under the deal, Israel released a captured Hezbollah fighter and two dead bodies of Hezbollah fighters in return of the body of an Israeli civilian. The Israeli civilian was drowned in a swimming accident. The deal was part of the United Nations-moderated talks between Israel and Hezbollah.

The article presents information about the exchange of bodies and a prisoner by Israel and the Lebanese organization Hezbollah. The exchange took place on October 15, 2007, first time since the Israel-Lebanon war in the summer of 2006. Israel returned a prisoner captured in the war and bodies of two Hezbollah militants in return of the body of an Israeli civilian.

Reports on the negotiation between Israel and the Hezbollah guerrilla movement regarding prisoner exchange as of September 24, 2003.

Reports on the release of prisoners by leftist rebel guerillas in Colombia, as part of a prisoner exchange in Colombia's peace process.

Reports that prisoners of war from a border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea returned home with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross as of December 2000. How they were returned to their homes; Number of prisoners who returned to their homes.

Reports on the exchange of two Russian officers for three Chechen fighters as a part of a military peace pact signed on July 30, 1995. Related details.

Reports that the Bosnian Government postponed the biggest exchanges of prisoners of war. Why the exchange was put off; Scheduled date of release; Comments from Amor Masovic, Bosnian Government official.

Reports that on June 25, 1998, the remains of an Israeli soldier who was killed in a raid in Lebanon in September 1997, were flown to Israel in exchanged for the bodies of 40 Lebanese guerrillas and the release of 60 prisoners on June 26, 1998. Death of two Israeli soldiers on June 25, 1998; Information on the death of Staff Sergeant Itamar Ilya of the Israeli Army.

Looks at the role of German politician Bernd Schmidbauer in the exchange of prisoners and bodies between the Israeli government and Hezbollah. Schmidbauer's previous successful efforts in this field; Schmidbauer's work as a reflection of the complexity of the German-Israeli relationship.

Reports on the July 21, 1996 swap of prisoners and bodies between the Israeli government and the Iranian-backed guerrilla group Hezbollah. Swap as the biggest since the initiation of conflict between the two; Bernd Schmidbauer as the intermediary for the two groups.

Reports that a prisoner swap took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where one hundred Bosnias and rebel Serbs were exchanged between the rival factions. Details on the swap; Information on fighting that took place after the exchange; Actions of United States' Secretary of State Warren Christopher; Comments from Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic.