Israel claims it may release 980 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for its captive soldier Gilad Shalit, taken prisoner by the Hamas Islamic resistance fighters.

Israel’s ‘State Prosecution’ said it is likely to free the 450 prisoners requested by the movement "as part of an agreement with Hamas, which would allow the return of soldier Gilad Shalit to Israel," the Israeli media reported Sunday.

"There is a possibility for the release in principle of about 450 prisoners whose names are being delivered by Hamas, and whose release is being examined in detail in accordance with different considerations and based on rationales of security and values," said the prosecution.

The regime would also free another 530 prisoners as a "gesture to the Palestinians," it added. "The list of these prisoners has not been formed yet and no criteria have been set on this matter."

However there are some 70 to 100 names of Palestinian prisoners which Israel is not willing to release, including Fatah’s West Bank Secretary General, Marwan Barghouti, according to the media sources.

(Press TV)