The Israeli regime releases 19 Palestinian female prisoners in exchange for a minute-long proof-of-life videotape of a captured Israeli soldier.

Eighteen of the detainees crossed into the West Bank aboard Red Cross vans to a sea of cheering relatives and friends from an Israeli military base in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The 19th woman crossed in a Red Cross van into Gaza through the Erez checkpoint.

The Israelis, in return, received a video of Gilad Shalit, who was taken hostage in June 2006.

The content of the video in not known yet.

However, unconfirmed media reports say the two-week old tape shows Shalit in civilian dress against the background of a banner emblazoned with the logo of Hamas’ military wing.

Israelis said the video was authenticated before the women were released and the soldier’s family was expected to view the videotape before its release to the public.

The swap is a major breakthrough in three years of efforts to free Shalit.

Israelis are hopeful that in the coming months, the more important deal, for Shalit’s release, will be finalized.

The sources said they are cautiously optimistic, both because of the German mediator’s success in establishing a framework for negotiations and because completion of Friday’s exchange will build confidence on both sides.

The Israeli regime holds more than 10,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The Islamic resistance movement Hamas is negotiating for the release of hundreds of its members in exchange for Shalit.