Gerhard Conrad (intelligence officer)

Gerhard Conrad is a German intelligence officer, primarily known for his role in facilitating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas that led to the release of Gilad Shalit in 2011. He worked for the German Federal Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst or BND) and specialized in Middle East affairs.

Conrad played a key role as an intermediary, shuttling between Israeli and Hamas representatives, often in locations such as Egypt. His fluency in Arabic and deep understanding of the political dynamics in the region were reportedly crucial to building trust and bridging the significant gaps between the two sides. He was known for his patient and persistent approach to the complex and sensitive negotiations.

The Shalit deal, which secured the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit after five years in Hamas captivity in exchange for the release of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, is considered Conrad's most significant achievement. Following the successful completion of the prisoner exchange, he was widely praised for his contributions to the agreement. His efforts were acknowledged by both Israeli and Palestinian figures involved in the process.

Beyond his involvement in the Shalit deal, details regarding his other specific intelligence operations are largely unavailable due to the classified nature of his work. Information regarding his career prior to and after the Shalit deal is scarce in publicly available sources.