By KUNA
Ramallah : Radio Israel said Monday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved recommendations put forward to him by a special ministerial committee calling on him to be more flexible in dealing with Palestinian prisoners.
Members of the committee agreed on the number of prisoners to be set free in return for releasing Israeli soldier Jilaad Shalit, who was captured by Hamas in Gaza.
According to Israeli media, such a move by Olmert is expected to speed up the process leading to a prisoner exchange with Hamas.
Meanwhile, Olmert said during a meeting with members of the ministerial committee he is determined to conclude a prisoner exchange deal but added he was not ready to meet any terms laid down by Hamas, the Israeli daily Haaretz said Monday.
Olmert described his softer attitude on the standards to be followed for a potential prisoner exchange as an important step forward but said the road is still long and that Hamas should drop any terms it has in mind.
Israeli TV Channel 10 had said Sunday the Israeli government has agreed to adopt a new path for dealing with the prisoners issue. However, the radio station failed to provide any details.