Israeli PM says Israel serious about intentions and actions to secure Shalit’s release

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel was serious about its intentions and actions to secure the release of detained Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

"Israel is serious, in its intentions and actions, to bring home Gilad Shalit," Netanyahu's office said in a statement, a day after reports emerged that a new European mediator has been appointed to try to advance a deal with Shalit's Hamas captors for a prisoner exchange.

Netanyahu's office emphasized that the government would continue to work with German mediator Gerhard Conrad, to secure a deal with Hamas based on the latest proposal put forth.

A new Israeli negotiator, David Meidan, was officially tapped to coordinate the talks this week to replace Hagai Hadas, who recently left his position two years into the job.

Shalit's father Noam, told Channel 10 on Wednesday that no progress seems to have been made in the negotiations for his son's release. "Despite recent reports made by Hamas officials, according to what we know recent steps taken have failed," the elder Shalit said in an interview. He added that he and his wife have yet to meet with the Meidan, a veteran Mossad official. "We talked with him on the phone and he said he would meet with us as soon as possible," Shalit said.