Suleiman. Pressed Yishai for flexibility
Photo: AFP
Yishai. Demanded Shalit's release
Photo: Daniel Bar-On
Kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit
Reproduction photo
Suleiman: Israel must compromise on Shalit
Visiting Egyptian Intelligence chief says Jerusalem's unwillingness to budge on release of Palestinian prisoners key issue holding up deal to free Gilad Shalit, demands Israel accept terms of proposed truce prior to further discussions on fate of kidnapped soldier
Omar Suleiman, head of Egyptian intelligence, asked Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai to help him make Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's
opinion about the release of the Palestinian prisoners "more flexible." Suleiman claimed that Israel's lack of flexibility on the subject was what was holding up the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
During Suleiman's meetings with various Israeli leaders, he was asked numerous times to advance Shalit's release and to help put a stop to the arming of the terrorist organizations in Gaza.
No Deal
Kidnapped IDF soldier's father says has not been briefed by government on possible ceasefire agreement with Hamas to be presented to Israel by Egyptian intelligence chief. 'As far as I know, Gilad is not included in the offer. This is inconceivable," he says
Suleiman demanded that Israel first accept the ceasefire agreement offered by Hamas, and only then would the Shalit issue be discussed, however Israeli leaders continued to demand that Shalit's release be considered a prerequisite.
During his meetings with Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Suleiman reiterated the need for easing restrictions on the citizens of Gaza. He asked Israel to halt military activity in the Strip, and to allow more freedom of movement of supplies at the border crossings.
"The ceasefire will not be achieved as long as the situation in Gaza remains difficult as it is – militarily and civilly," he told Yishai. The ceasefire agreement is the basis for everything else. First we should reach a truce, including the easing of restrictions, and then promote the negotiations about Shalit."
Yishai continued to demand that the focus remain on Shalit, but Suleiman said that there was still a dispute about the identity of the prisoners to be released according to the agreement – many of them terrorists with blood on their hands.
The talks revealed that despite the agreement on 230 of the 450 prisoners, and though both sides agreed to the transfer of Shalit to Cairo until the rest of the prisoners receive a pardon, the deal remains at a standstill.
Israeli security officials, backed by Olmert, Barak, and Livni, were not willing to compromise on certain Palestinian prisoners. Hamas, on their end, remained rigid as well, and thus, officials announced, Suleiman could not bring news of an advance on the issue of Shalit.
Israel then asked Suleiman to make another effort, but in the meantime the ceasefire has been put on hold, perhaps until Olmert meets with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm al-Sheikh, a meeting they had agreed upon some weeks ago.
