New York ( CNN ) -- The details of the prisoner-exchange deal announced between Israel and Hamas -- a swap of Gilad Shalit , the Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas since 2006 , for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners -- are not yet fully known . But after five years of failed negotiations , it is clear that both sides have made concessions . And that is a sign of hope . The unrest in the Middle East , and especially in Syria , has been a powerful catalyst for Hamas to capitalize while it can on Israel 's desire to bring Shalit home . The unrest in Damascus is forcing the external political leadership of Hamas , led by Khaled Meshaal , to relocate to the Gulf -- further away from the front lines with Israel and a political environment less sympathetic to its radical policies . The huge upsurge of popularity for Hamas 's rival , Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas , following last month 's push for UN recognition of Palestine as a member state , would also have been a catalyst for Hamas to conclude an agreement by being more flexible . The return home of 1,000 prisoners , including some ( but not all ) of the most hardcore terrorists with the blood of hundreds of Israelis on their hands , will do wonders for Hamas ' popularity -- not only in Gaza but in the West Bank and the Palestinian diaspora as well . From the Hamas point of view , the time for a deal had clearly arrived . For Israel , the growing instability in Egypt was a factor making a deal imperative now , or a risk that it would never happen . The Egyptians have played a major role as intermediaries , allowing both sides to negotiate without actually having to deal directly . ( In the last stage of the bargaining , held in Cairo since July , Israel 's negotiators sat in one room and Hamas in another , and the Egyptians acted as go-between . ) The Egyptians will play a role in the actual physical exchange of the prisoners as well . Given that Cairo mobs sacked Israel 's embassy there just a month ago and that the military rulers of Egypt had to be forced ( by the US ) to intervene , Israel has good reason to fear that Egypt 's ability to facilitate the deal with Hamas might not last forever . Another consideration was the determination by the Israel Defense Forces ' new Chief of Staff , Benny Gantz , that there were no realistic military options for freeing Shalit . He was joined by the recently appointed heads of Israel 's other security services -- the Mossad and the Shabak ( internal security ) -- who withdrew their opposition to the release of so many convicted terrorists . No Israeli Prime Minister would have overridden the unanimous recommendations of the security establishment , and the green light for the agreement from this sector was vital . Similarly , no Israeli politician would have overridden public sentiment on this issue , but here the vast majority of Israel 's public has been clearly in favor of the swap agreement for the past few years . This sentiment was skillfully articulated through a public campaign conducted by the Shalit family , their friends and associates . Shalit 's family have been camping outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's official residence in Jerusalem for well over a year , and as they return home to prepare for the return of their son , the Israeli public cheers their dedication . Concern over the possible renewal of Palestinian terror following the release of so many skilled and determined terrorists is , for the moment at least , overshadowed by widespread enthusiasm at the return of the kidnapped soldier . There will be celebrations in both Israel and the Palestinian territories . But what are the long-term implications of this deal ? Pessimists will point to the dangers of rewarding terror -- both the terror of those released from jail and the act of kidnapping Israelis to have future terrorists released . Cynics will ask if Israel 's willingness to conclude the deal was not an attempt to punish Abbas for pushing ahead with his policies in the UN , despite Israeli and American opposition . But there are other considerations which give grounds for optimism . Any movement in the stalled peace process might be enough to get the wheels of this heavy cart out of the rut in which it is trapped . It appears that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a role in the final deal , perhaps indicating a return of Turkey to constructive dealing with Israel . And the fact that Israel and Hamas have talked -- albeit indirectly -- is a welcome development . Israel 's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza might have had more positive long-term effect had this channel of communication been used then . Even more significant , the release of these prisoners removes a major obstacle from any future peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians . An agreement will almost certainly address the issue of the thousands of Palestinians remaining in Israeli jails . Their numbers have dropped dramatically over the past few years , as the level of violence in the occupied territories has declined -- from 11,000 in 2008 to just over 4,000 after the current prisoner swap is completed . But freeing almost all of the most dangerous prisoners now , in circumstances that will be endorsed by Israeli public opinion , means there is one less impediment to be dealt with in the final settlement . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ronald W. Zweig .
Gilad Shalit , the Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas since 2006 , is being freed . The prisoner exchange is a sign of hope , says Ronald W. Zweig . The Egyptians have played a major role as intermediaries , Zweig says . Israel 's release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners may help lead to peace , he says .