Israel-Hamas Prisoner Swap May Be Imminent

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle won’t say a word about the maybe-impending deal to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, afraid to jinx the proceedings. Westerwelle met with counterpart Avigdor Lieberman in Israel today, in part to discuss the prisoner swap, which German officials are brokering in Cairo. Reports are flying that the sides are close to a deal, but Lieberman also refused to discuss it, professing not to know all the details.

The pair also discussed Iran, with Westerwelle saying that Germany supported Israel on the matter, having just about run out of patience on Tehran’s nuclear program. He said Berlin would consider aggravated sanctions. He also urged Israel to resume talks with the Palestinians and move toward a two-state solution. (More Guido Westerwelle stories.)