A senior Hamas official said Tuesday that Israel is secretely discussing a prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian officials to secure the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit in return for freeing Palestinian prisoners.
Remarks by Palestinian Legislative Council Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad al-Ramahi contradicted Monday's declaration by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who ruled out negotiations with the kidnappers.
"Israeli authorities have sent secret envoys to the Palestinians to check the possibility of releasing the soldiers in return for prisoners," al-Ramahi said.
| Soldier Kidnapped |
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| Peretz: We'll do everything to bring back soldier / Hanan Greenberg |
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Defense minister meets with comrades of Gilad Shalit from armored battalion 'to send message that the State of Israel stands behind you and behind your commanders.' |
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The three Palestinian groups responsible for the kidnapping - Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees and the largely unknown Army of Islam - demanded Monday that Israel release Palestinian women and children imprisoned in Israeli jail in return for information on Shalit, who was kidnapped in an attack against an army post south of the Gaza Strip. Two soldiers were killed in the attack which took place on Sunday.
Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz met Tuesday evening to weigh Israel's move as the Israel Defense Forces complete preparation for a possible incursion into Gaza to rescue Shalit.
IDF chief of the General Staff Lit.-Gen. Dan Halutz, Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin and Director of Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin were present at the meeting.
Hundreds of soldiers and military vehicles have been massed near Gaza in anticipation of an incursion into Gaza.
Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman has been holding talks with Palestinian factions to persuade them to release Shalit.
French diplomats were also said to be in contact with Palestinian officials in Gaza to seek information on Shalit, who holds the French nationality.
Ali Waked contributed to this report
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