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Turns 22. Shalit
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Barak heading to Egypt for Shalit talks

Defense minister to meet Mubarak, ask that Cairo pressure Hamas to return to 'realistic' demands for prisoner exchange deal; in Israel preparations for kidnapped soldier's birthday continue

Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to leave for Egypt Tuesday morning with a clear message: Israel is counting on Cairo to bring about the release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

 

"Israel considers Egypt to be the sole mediator in the negotiations for Shalit's release," Barak said Monday.

 

Shalit was captured by Palestinian terrorists during a cross-border raid on an IDF base near Gaza on June 25, 2006.

 

During his visit Barak is expected to meet in Alexandria with President Hosni Mubarak and senior Egyptian defense and intelligence officials. The defense minister is expected to bring up recent messages relayed by Cairo according to which it plans to finalize an agreement between Israel and Hamas for Shalit's release by November.

 

The Islamist group has recently called for the appointment of an international mediator for the talks.

 

Barak's trip to Egypt apparently indicates that the negotiations for the IDF soldier's release are returning to the hands of Israel's highest-ranking officials; however, the defense minister is not expected to inform the Egyptians of any developments regarding Israel's willingness to comply with Hamas' current demands for a prisoner exchange deal.

 

It has been reported that Hamas has toughened its stance ahead of a possible resumption of the negotiations for the Israeli soldier's release, and now demands that the opening of the Rafah crossing as a gesture.

 

Another one of these "toughened clauses" is the demand to release more Palestinian prisoners in the Shalit deal, including those dubbed as "heavy" prisoners.

 

"If Israel paid so much to Hizbullah for dead soldiers, we can demand more for a living soldier," a Hamas representative recently told Egyptian mediator Omar Suleiman.

 

New slogan: Gilad is still alive

Barak is hoping to convince the Egyptians to pressure Hamas to return to the original "realistic" demands.

 

The defense minister is also expected to update Mubarak on a committee headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon, which is working towards relaxing Israel's criteria for the release of Palestinian prisoners "with blood on their hands".

  

Barak is expected to thank Mubarak for Egypt's efforts to prevent arms smuggling from the Sinai Peninsula into Gaza. Egypt has destroyed some 140 weapons smuggling tunnels over the past few months. The defense minister will also demand that Hamas abide by the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

 

While Barak attempts to make headway in Egypt on the release of Gilad Shalit, in Israel preparations for the kidnapped soldier's birthday continue on schedule. The public campaign for his safe return has adopted a new slogan, 'Gilad is still alive', and is preparing to celebrate the soldier's third birthday in captivity.

 

The campaign stated that Aviva Shalit, Gilad's mother, has discussed her son with TV host Zvika Hadar, and the two decided that the latter would mention his case during a finale of the Israeli show 'Kokhav Nolad' (Lit: A Star is Born), calling on teens to join the struggle for his release.

 

On Wednesday friends of Shalit plan to hold a special assembly in Sufa, the kibbutz from which Shalit left on the mission in which he fell captive. Minister Ami Ayalon (Labor) plans to speak at the event, as well as Miki Goldwasser and Dagan Shahar, formerly Shalit's commander.

 

The main event honoring Shalit's 22nd birthday will take place on Thursday in Mitzpe Hila, the Shalit family's place of residence. It will begin at 7:30 pm with a procession of torches from the town's gates to the family's home. Meanwhile a protest before the Defense Ministry will also take place in Tel Aviv, as well as a procession beginning in Rabin Square.

 

The event has been planned and organized by youths who protest daily in Rabin Square for the release of Gilad Shalit. Another event will take place on Friday, during which 40 light planes will fly over Israel's beaches carrying signs stating, 'Gilad is still alive'.

 

Ahiya Raved contributed to the report 

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.26.08, 00:59
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