Hamas: Soldier handed over to Egypt

Hamas’ leader in the Gaza Strip says the militant group has officially turned over a captive Israeli soldier to Egypt as part of a prisoner swap with Israel.

In a text message, Mahmoud Zahar said that his group is no longer holding Sgt Gilad Schalit.

Earlier, militants had whisked the 25-year-old soldier across Gaza’s border to Egypt, which has acted as a mediator in the deal.

Israel is freeing more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Sgt Schalit, who was captured by Gaza militants in June 2006.