Israeli PM Says Talks with Hamas for Captured Soldier Back On

Israel's prime minister says efforts to free an Israel soldier held by Hamas have resumed.

Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli media Sunday the German mediator trying to broker the release of 24-year-old Gilad Shalit is back in the region and working with both sides.

Hamas militants seized Shalit near the Gaza border in June 2006. The militant group has demanded the release of about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier.

Mr. Netanyahu's comments came hours after an Israeli airstrike targeted militants in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, killing two Palestinians.

Israeli military officials said the militants were preparing to launch missiles into Israel. Palestinian paramedics said a third man was wounded.

Sunday's developments follow Israel's announcement that it postponed a summit with Palestinian leaders in Paris.

Israel said Saturday it was postponing a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to reschedule the talks, originally set to take place in France by the end of the month.

The meeting was designed to prepare the sides for a larger summit of European and Middle Eastern leaders in late November.

The delay is the latest setback for direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

The United States has been trying to kick-start the peace process, but Palestinian officials quit direct talks earlier this month because of Israel's refusal to halt settlement construction in territory Palestinians want for a future state, including East Jerusalem.