Mashaal blames Israel for stuck prisoner exchange talks

Hamas leader says Israel deliberately hindering talks to release kidnapped soldier Shalit in return for hundred of prisoners, calls on soldier's father to exert pressure on Israeli government

Roee Nahmias|Published: 02.23.07 , 19:30

Hamas' politburo Khaled Mashaal on Friday accused Israel of deliberately hindering mediated talks with his group over the release of an Israeli soldier kidnapped near the Gaza Strip last June.

Speaking in Cairo after meetings with Egyptian officials about a possible prisoner exchange deal with Israel, Mashaal called on the soldier's father, Noam Shalit, to exert pressure on the Israeli government to finalize a prisoner exchange deal.

Corp Gilad Shalit was kidnapped on June 25 last year in a cross border attack by gunmen from Hamas and other factions.

"Exert pressure on the Israeli side that is hindering the finalization of the deal," he called on Noam Shalit, referring to the release of hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners in exchange for his son.

Mashaal said his talks with the Egyptian officials focused on efforts to form a national unity government between Hamas and Fatah in a bid to end an aid embargo imposed by western powers since January last year when his Islamic group won the general elections.

'Hamas won't change its way'

Mashaal said Hamas' political mantra should not stand in the way of forging a united Palestinian political plan.

The Islamic group has so far rejected demands by the international community that it recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept past agreements.

The Quartet of international peace brokers, which comprises Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, insist the Hamas-led government will not gain international legitimacy if these demands are not met.

"We in Hamas insist that the movement's vision has not changed and we are divided with regards to the government's political plan," he said.

He called on the international community to deal with any future Hamas-Fatah unity government and to lift the aid embargo that has left the Palestinian Authority cash-strapped for over a year.

"The Palestinian people have a number of options that will surprise the international community and Israel. The United States and the international community will err if they continue to treat the Palestinians as they did before the Mecca Agreement," he said referring to unity talks hosted by Saudi Arabia that ended months of internecine fighting between Hamas and Fatah.

The European Union and Russia have signaled readiness to give any future Palestinian unity government a chance to prove itself and to gradually lift the aid embargo.

The United States and Israel oppose such moves and insist that Hamas must meet international demands before the embargo is lifted.