Gov't: Shalit reports erroneous

Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon says reports in foreign media about Shalit prisoner exchange deal are not accurate

Ronny Sofer
Published: 09.17.06, 16:53 / Israel News

CabinetSecretary Ysrael Maimon responded on Sunday to conflicting reports in the foreign media about progress in talks on the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit part of a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Maimom said: "We shouldn't be inappropriately optimistic over these reports."

"The issue is sensitive, and we won't conduct negotiations through the media," a political source said.

Arab Media Report

Report: Deal for Shalit's release to be announced Sunday / Roee Nahmias

Saudi newspaper Okaz reports that prisoner swap deal will be on its way within next day, during which time Shalit will be transferred to Egyptians, Israel will release Hamas ministers. Report is not confirmed by any other source, joining series of contradictory reports published this week. Senior Palestinian official: More time needed to seal deal

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Maimon said the issue of Shalit was not raised in the cabinet's meeting.

"Let's not make ourselves hostages of foreign reports that are not connected to facts," Maimon added.

The same officials confirmed that Egypt is mediating between Israel and the Palestinians on the issue, but refused to say when a deal could be finalized.

"The time limit is not set by us and there are reasons for that. The issue is sensitive and we need to behalf cautiously," a senior official said.

'I hope there have been contacts'

Gilad's father, Noam, expressed a similar point of view Sunday morning, when he said he is unaware of a deal for his son's release.

"No information that was reported lately in the media and the Arab press was true," he said.

"I hope there have been contacts of the kind," he said.

Several Arab newspapers last week reported that a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and the Palestinians that would include Shalit is looming.

Saudi newspaper Okaz reported on Saturday that a prisoner swap deal would be finalized within few days.

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