Report: Shalit talks renewed in Egypt

Asharq Al-Awsat quotes Hamas sources saying Egypt is proposing to strike accord ending Hamas-Fatah conflict while coordinating prisoner swap with Israel, though 'Hamas has not changed stance or conditions despite Egyptian pressure'

Roee Nahmias

Published: 10.11.08, 11:21 / Israel News

Negotiations on a deal to release kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit have been renewed through the mediation of Egypt but have had no breakthroughs as of yet, the London based Asharq Al-Awsat reported Saturday.

Israel's Unreliability

Mashaal: Shalit talks deadlocked because Israel unreliable / Ynet

Hamas politburo chief tell French daily he doubts new Israeli government will lead to change Jewish state's stance in regards to his organization's demands. Talks aimed at securing kidnapped soldier's release stalemated due to Israel's unreliability, he says

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Hamas has denied linking Shalit's case to the recent dialogue with Fatah, which is attempting to bridge the growing rift between the two factions. However Palestinian sources reported that Egypt is attempting to seal a deal that will bring the Hamas-Fatah conflict to an end as well as a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel.

Official Hamas sources told the paper that "Hamas has not changed its stance or its conditions, despite Egyptian pressure." They also claimed that French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, currently visiting Cairo, will also attempt to make headway on the issue of Shalit.

Hamas military wing spokesman Abu Obaida told the paper that his organization would not relent on the conditions it has already stated – namely the release of over a thousand Palestinian prisoners, not including those who are sick or under the age of 18.

Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal postulated early this week that the political changes occurring in Israel would not lead to the reopening of negotiations on Shalit. In an interview with the French Le Figaro,

Mashaal blamed Israel for the stall in talks.

Negotiations on Gilad Shalit, who has been held captive in Gaza for two years, have been unsuccessfully taking place through Egyptian mediation for some months. In his interview, Mashaal claimed the stalemate was due to "unreliability on the Israeli side".

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