While Egyptian negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza stall, reports from Turkey announce that a Turkish delegation is attempting to form an agreement with Hamas on the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
CNN-Turk reported Friday that the delegation is currently in Damascus, where it is holding talks on Shalit with Hamas leaders. The report has not yet been confirmed by an official source.
| Waiting for Gilad |
|
| Protestors urge Olmert to 'bring Shalit home' / Aviad Glickman |
|
'The PM must keep in mind that the day will come when he will stand before God, who will ask him what he did for Gilad's release,' protestor says. Bereaved father: Release terrorists behind attack that killed my son in exchange for Shalit |
| Full story |
|
|
|
However the report is surprising as Israel's relations with Turkey have recently soured over the IDF operation in Gaza and an incident that occurred at the Davos Economic Forum. In Davos, Erdogan stormed out of a debate after accusing President Shimon Peres of killing innocent civilians.
Hamas officials said
Friday the organization expects to achieve progress in ceasefire talks by the end of the weekend. The Hamas delegation is expected to return to Cairo Sunday with answers on the issue of the opening and closing of the border crossings, and the amount of goods allowed in by Israel.
A Hamas official told Ynet that the issues still being debated are fundamental but small, and that the organization would strive to prevent a relapse into fighting.
"The goal is to allow people to rehabilitate. What's said in speeches is one thing, but what leads the delegation in private is the true interest of the public," he said, adding that the chances of reaching a truce were greater than the odds of another outbreak in violence.
He postulated that a long-term ceasefire agreement would be reached, beginning with a period of a year to 18 months. However he hinted that in actuality the ceasefire would last longer.
RSS
