Unconfirmed Arab report says Israeli citizen held in Egypt for past 12 years to be freed in exchange for 63 Egyptian prisoners

The al-Muhit Arab website reported Thursday that Israel and Egypt will complete a prisoner exchange deal as part of which 63 Egyptian prisoners will be traded off in exchange for Israeli citizen Ouda Tarabin by April 25.

The report stated that the prisoners´ relatives were promised that the deal will go through by April 25 – the day Egypt marks as Sinai liberation day.

Based on the same promise, members of the Sinai Multinational Force recently captured by Bedouins were freed and a Central Sinai road has been reopened. The report could not be confirmed.

Other Egyptian media outlets reported that an Israeli envoy arrived in Egypt on Wednesday for a brief visit. During a meeting with Egyptian officials, the parties discussed the latest developments in the prisoners issue, including the Ouda Tarabin deal.

Egyptian media reported many times of a possible agreement for Tarabin´s release over the past few years.

Several weeks ago, the al-Ahram newspaper reported that a high-level Israeli delegation discussed the issue with Egyptian officials in Cairo.

Tarabin has been held in Egypt on espionage charges since 2000. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/20/12)