Israeli ambassadors make final push to free soldier

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel postponed a crucial Cabinet meeting a few hours before it was to convene on Monday morning to give negotiators more time to try to finalise an agreement with Hamas over the release of an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian fighters.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rescheduled the Cabinet meeting for Tuesday morning. He had said this round of talks would be the last before Israel's new government takes over.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is putting together a coalition to exchange Sgt. Gilad Shalit for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including convicted murderers.

Schalit was captured in June 2006 in a cross-border raid that killed two other soldiers.

Hamas officials in Egypt and the Gaza Strip said they had no word on new developments, but said Hamas would not ease its demands.

"Our demands are well known and have been submitted to the Egyptians. If they agree to our demands and release our prisoners, Schalit will be free," said Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas's military wing.