PM Netanyahu at gov't meeting
Photo: AP
Ex-Mossad official named as Shalit envoy
PM announces Hagai Hadas to replace Ofer Dekel in Cairo talks on release of captive IDF soldier
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed former Mossad official Hagai Hadas to the position of Israel's new envoy to the negotiations for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hadas, 56, will replace previous envoy Ofer Dekel. His advisors include Minister Dan Meridor and MK Israel Hasson (Kadima). Netanyahu has also appointed a group of ministers to monitor Hadas' work, including Moshe Ya'alon, Yossi Peled, Ehud Barak, and Avigdor Lieberman.
The former Mossad official has served in a number of special operations and is considered knowledgeable on issues of operations and intelligence. He retired from his senior position with the Mossad in 2006. Since then he has established an internet technology enterprise.
Dekel, Hadas' predecessor, asked to be relieved of his post upon the swearing in of Netanyahu's government. On Saturday Meridor, who had also been offered the position, refused to accept the nomination.
No progress has been reported on the release of Gilad Shalit since former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's prisoner swap deal fell through. A Palestinian source in Gaza said recently that Egypt and Hamas were preparing for additional talks on the matter.
Hamas' demands include a two-stage release of 1,000 prisoners, the first step being comprised of at least 450. Hamas halted negotiations when Olmert refused to release some of the prisoners the organization demanded.
