Israel has agreed to swap 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for a lone soldier captured by Gaza’s Islamist rulers five years ago. The deal to release Gilad Shalit resolves one of the most emotive issues in the Middle-East. Shalit, then 19, was captured by militants who tunnelled their way out of Gaza and forced him back over the border in 2006. Verge of freedom: Captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was last seen looking gaunt in this video released by Hamas in October 2009. He is due to be released from captivity 'within days' Cause celebre: Shalit was 19 when he was captured by militants who tunnelled their way out of Gaza and into Israel before forcing him back over the border in 2006
@highlight
Gilad Shalit, 25, due home 'within days' after being held captive in Gaza
@highlight
1,000 Palestinian men and 27 women prisoners to be released
@highlight
They will include 315 prisoners serving a life sentence
@highlight
Deal gives Hamas a victory that could strengthen its hand against Palestine
reluctance to meet @placeholder’ demands to free prisoners convicted of