Syria-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is destined to travel to Cairo this weekend in order to discuss the release of captured IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit with Egyptian mediators, Palestinian sources said on Tuesday night. Army Radio reported that according to the sources, Mashaal was not making the trip "merely to say no and to reject the new deal." The new proposal was similar to the previous offer presented to Hamas which would constitute releasing Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails in exchange for the IDF soldier. Channel 10 reported that Mashaal's arrival in Egypt instilled hope into the hearts of the mediators who have been trying for some time to secure a deal for Shalit's release. In recent weeks negotiations have frozen but Mashaal's proposed trip would amount to a certain degree of progress.