Up to 980 Palestinian prisoners could be freed for Gilad Shalit

Occupied Jerusalem: Up to 980 Palestinian prisoners could be freed by Israel in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, a news report said.

Israel could free 450 prisoners selected by Hamas and, "as part of a unilateral gesture to the Palestinian people, an additional 530 terrorists chosen by Israel," said Ynet news website quoting Israeli court documents.

More than 7,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons.

Ynet and Israeli state radio said the government informed the Supreme Court of the possible releases after an Israeli group appealed to the court, demanding that Israel provide the names of Palestinians to be freed.

State radio said the names of those to be freed will be disclosed only when the government and Hamas reach agreement on a swap.

Both sides have undertaken to remain "completely silent" about details of a list held by the German intermediary leading the negotiations, state radio said.

The authorities have imposed a news blackout about the negotiations.

Egypt tried for months to broker an exchange before the German mediator joined the talks earlier this year. The talks are set to resume Tuesday.

Shalit, who holds both Israeli and French nationality, was seized in June 2006 when Gaza fighter groups, including Hamas, tunnelled out of the enclave and attacked an Israeli army post, killing two other soldiers.