Egypt and Hamas: No one to talk to on Shalit
Gaza official says Egypt, Hamas ready to renew negotiations on kidnapped soldier's release, waiting for Netanyahu to appoint envoy to handle matter
Egypt and Hamas are ready to resume negotiations over the release of Gilad Shalit, and are waiting for Israel to appoint an envoy to handle the matter, a senior Palestinian official in Gaza said Sunday.
According to the official, over the last few weeks, and particularly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Cairo, Egypt and Hamas have started discussing the possibility of resuming the talks. But talks can only be re-started once Israel appoints a replacement for special envoy Ofer Dekel, who resigned the post more than a month ago, he explained.
The official also said that contrary to media reports, Netanyahu has expressed his interest in renewing the negotiations for a prisoner exchange, and has set no preconditions for a deal.
However, Hamas on its part had no plans of revising its demands. "The demands and the numbers are clear and known to all and have not changed," said the official. "We say again that as far as we're concerned a deal can be sealed very quickly.
"But it's our estimate that there will be difficulties on the Israeli side, particularly when it's clear to us that Netanyahu – who is an extremist himself – is surrounded by even more extremist aides. We're not certain whether the Israeli side is genuinely seeking to advance a deal, or just wants to show the kidnapped soldier's family that it's renewing the negotiations, without any real intention to reach an agreement," he concluded.
