Barak: Shalit at top of agenda
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
Hamas: Shalit talks resumed
Gaza group says indirect talks on soldier's release back on; Barak: Effort must continue
Efforts to free Shalit continue: Hamas resumed indirect negotiations with Israel on Wednesday aimed at exchanging an Israeli soldier held by the group for Palestinians jailed by Israel, Hamas official Ali Barakeh said.
A delegation from Hamas is in Cairo to pursue a deal, he said.
"The contacts through Egypt with the Olmert government have resumed," Barakeh said in a statement.
The Egyptian-mediated negotiations broke down earlier this month when Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rejected Hamas's demand that Israel free 1,400 Palestinian prisoners, including about 450 long-serving inmates.
Barak: We must continue
Earlier Wednesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak made it clear that Israel will continue its efforts to secure Shalit's release."The effort to bring him back must continue at this time too," he said.
Speaking at an event in honor of bereaved families, Barak stressed that securing the abducted soldier's release was still at the top of the agenda for Israel's leadership.
"The constant effort to bring him back is before our eyes, and this effort must continue," he said.
Ronen Medzini contributed to the story
