GAZA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua)-- A leader of Islamic Resistance Movement(Hamas) said on Friday that a deal to exchange an Israeli soldier for Palestinian prisoners is very near.

    Fathi Hamad's remarks came a day after Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah agreed in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca to from a national unity government that is sought to end months of power struggle.

    Addressing northern Gaza Strip crowds who took to the streets celebrating Mecca accord, Fathi Hamad said that "tell your imprisoned sons that their release is imminent and the swap is on the verge of taking place." But he did not elaborate.

    Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit was captured by Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and the Islamic Army last Junein Gaza Strip. The captors demand Israel to free some 1,000prisoners in exchange for Shalit.

    Meanwhile, Hamad has slammed the United Sates, saying "it sponsors international terrorism" and that Hamas will never accept U.S. money.

    The U.S. has been leading international campaign to isolate the going-away Palestinian government. In Mecca, the rival factions on Thursday agreed to replace the Hamas-led government with a wider collation.