25 Egyptian prisoners let go in swap for Ilan Grapel, law student held as spy to be freed Thursday

By Christina Boyle, Daily News

A Queens law student detained in Egypt since June was just hours away from freedom Thursday as a prisoner swap began between the country and Israel.

As part of the trade, Israel released 25 Egyptian prisoners, busing them to the border Thursday morning.

In exchange, Egypt is expected to free Ilan Grapel, 27, and put him on a flight from Cairo to Israel, where he will be reunited with his family.

"I don't want to celebrate yet," Grapel's father, Daniel, told the Daily News.

"The deal has been signed but a lot of things can happen so I am still cautious."

Grapel's mother flew from Queens to Israel to greet her son and will return to the U.S. with him.

Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) is also in the country to witness the reunion after personally intervening in the case.

Grapel's father said it was unlikely his son would be back in the family home Thursday night, but huge celebrations were already being planned.

"We are going to throw a big party for him, but first my son has a lot of people to thank," he said.

"A lot of people who helped make this possible. We are all so grateful."

"It's been months and months of waiting," he added.

"I'm still cautious. I won't believe it until he's out."

The U.S.-Israeli citizen was volunteering for a legal aid group when he was arrested in the Egyptian capital in June and jailed on suspicion of espionage.

Authorities accused the 27-year-old of spying for Israel during the revolt that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak in February.

Grapel, his family and friends all vehemently denied the charges.

The law student was raised in Queens and moved to Israel in 2005 where he served in the military and then enrolled in Georgia's Emory Law School.

Grapel's father said one of his son's first priorities will be resuming his studies.

"My son missed a lot of time," he said.

"He wants to go back up to school as soon as possible."

Grapel's expected release comes a week after Israeli soldier Gilat Shalit was freed by Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

With Alison Gendar and News Wire Services.