Bethlehem – Ma’an – Negotiations for a prisoners swap have been ongoing since the release of a one-minute video of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shait under German mediation, a Hamas official said, calling them "intense," in a Thursday statement.

Party official charged with the Shalit file Usama Al-Mazni said a resolution was pending, and noted intensive German mediation efforts over the issue.

The announcement followed the release of two Druze prisoners from Israel's Gilboa prison on 15 October, a move that Israel called a "goodwill" gesture, while Al-Mazni called the release a response to a demand from Hamas and Gaza factions working on the swap negotiations.

The two men, Issam Al-Louli and Bashar Al-Moqt, were released four years ahead of the end of their their 27-year sentences. Both had participated in anti-occupation operations in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.