Amos Gilad – dismissed
Photo: AFP
Egypt concerned: Gilad suspension to harm talks
Cairo worried that negotiations on Gaza lull, Shalit release to be undermined by Olmert's decision to suspend special emissary, Palestinian sources say
Egyptian officials expressed their displeasure with the suspension
of Defense Ministry representative Amos Gilad from his position as Israel's special emissary to Egypt, Palestinian sources said Monday.
Major General Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry's Diplomatic-Security Bureau, was suspended by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert following a heated clash with the PM last week.
Egypt is said to be concerned that the move may harm the Cairo-mediated talks on a Gaza Strip lull and Gilad Shalit's release. According to the sources, Egyptian officials expressed concerns that Gilad's dismissal may prompt a return to "square one" in the talks once his replacement steps in.
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Kidnapped soldier's friends irate about PM Olmert's decision to bar Amos Gilad from negotiations meant to secure Shalit's release. An Israeli soldier is rotting away in captivity and they're busy with politics, they say
Egyptian officials reportedly reached agreement with Gilad on an outline for a deal that was acceptable to Hamas as well. According to the sources, the mechanism for implementing the deal was also agreed on, with the names of Palestinian prisoners to be released remaining the main contentious issue.
However, in the awake of the decision to suspend Gilad, the sources said, long months of contacts headed by Egypt could amount to nothing.
The Palestinian sources noted that Egypt views the latest move as yet another indication of Israel's lack of seriousness in handling the Shalit case. The decision to open the Rafah Crossing Sunday was meant to express Egypt's displeasure with Israel's conduct, the sources said.
