Hamas has no plans to scrap talks on the exchange of prisoners with Israel and hopes for their completion in the near future, one of the radical Islamic group's leaders said.

The group earlier pledged that an agreement on the exchange of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons could be reached by celebrations for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which begin on Friday and last for at least three days.

"I believe that our progress in negotiations is much greater than ever before, but it is necessary to stress that it is still early to talk about the successful outcome of the deal," Muhammad Nazzal said.

The Israel Defense Forces soldier was seized in June 2006 by Palestinian militants while on patrol near the Gaza Strip.

In September, Israel released 20 Palestinian female prisoners in exchange for a video clip proving that Shalit was still alive.

The Gaza Strip has been the subject of an almost continuous Israeli blockade since Hamas took control of the enclave in the summer of 2007. The release of Shalit is a major precondition for the lifting of the blockade.

GAZA, November 27 (RIA Novosti)