JERUSALEM, (AP) – A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says attempts to win the release of a captured Israeli soldier have not stopped despite strong signals from Olmert that no deal was likely during his last days in office.

Mark Regev says Israel is still trying to strike a deal on a prisoner swap with Hamas. He provided no further details Sunday.

Olmert is set to leave office within two weeks. After a recent round of talks failed, he indicated he was turning the matter over to his successor, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The head of Hamas’ government in the Gaza Strip also says a deal is still possible. Ismail Haniyeh wrote in a Hamas newspaper Sunday that the group’s representatives are “still trying” to renew the Egyptian-sponsored talks.