Jerusalem - Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was taking efforts before his term ends to obtain the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Israeli media reported Sunday.

Two envoys - Israeli domestic security head Yuval Diskin and diplomat Ofer Dekel - were sent by Olmert to Cairo to engage in last- ditch negotiations for a prisoner exchange with the radical Palestinian Islamic group Hamas, reports said.

A special session of the Israeli government is to take place on Monday to discuss a possible exchange agreement.

Shalit was captured in June 2006 by militant Palestinians under Hamas command in the Gaza Strip. In a campaign for Shalit's release, the soldier's parents have pitched themselves in a tent in front of Olmert's home for a week.

Hamas had demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees in Israel in exchange for the captured soldier. (dpa)