The official told the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram that the talks had failed and no new positions were introduced, contrary to Israeli media reports.

However, both Hamas and Israel confirmed that Gerhard Konrad, the German mediator appointed to finalize the prisoner swap between the two sides, had renewed contact to discuss the issue.

On Sunday, Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha said that the German mediator had visited Gaza, but no progress had been made on the issue.

The visit did not signify a resumption of talks on the deal, Taha said, describing the mediator's visit as "exploratory". In an interview with the local Ma'an Radio, Taha added that Konrad brought no new information.

Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip and two other minor militant groups in the territory, abducted Israeli soldier Shalit in a cross-border military operation in southeast Gaza in June 2006.

His captors are demanding the release of 1,450 prisoners from Israeli jails in return for releasing Shalit. But differences between both sides over prisoners that Israel considers very dangerous have hindered talks, leading to a halt in December 2009, and no progress has been achieved so far.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Army Radio that he had renewed contact with the German mediator, and resumed efforts to secure Shalit's release, the Israel daily Haaretz reported on Sunday.

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