A senior Israeli defense official arrived in Cairo on Thursday, for discussions on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the release of the captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, local news services said.

Amos Gilad, head of the political-security bureau at Israel's Defense Ministry, met with Egyptian security officials in Cairo, local daily Ha'aretz reported.

Also on Thursday, Egypt's intelligence deputy chief general Mohammed Ibrahim, who charged with mediating between Israel and the Palestinians for the release of Shalit, visited Ramallah for talks with Palestinian Authority leaders, the report said.

Israeli defense sources told the Israeli daily on Wednesday that a freeze in the attempted reconciliation of Fatah and Hamas has brought efforts for negotiation on Shalit to a standstill, and that the likelihood of a speedy deal to release Shalit is slim.

Gilad will, during the very brief visit, discuss with a number of senior Egyptian officials about developments in the efforts to secure a lull between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as the release of Shalit in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, according to the Israeli news service Ynet.

The Egyptian-brokered talks between Israel and Hamas are to be resumed soon with the participation of Hagai Hadas, the prime minister's newly appointed negotiator for Shalit's release, Ha'aretz reported, citing Egyptian sources.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2009)