Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman told Hamas
politburo chief Khaled Mashaal that his movement must realize that its only "bargaining chip" is kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit,
Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida reported Thursday.
According to the report, the Egyptian minister told the Hamas leader that releasing prisoners and opening the Rafah crossing would strengthen the support for Hamas, which has suffered a sharp drop since Operation Cast Lead.
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According to the report, based on Palestinian sources, Suleiman informed Mashaal during their meeting in Cairo on Tuesday that Egypt
had received Israeli signals asking to resume the negotiations in order to complete them. The same sources added that Hamas welcomed the offer and agreed to resume the talks.
The newspaper also said that Suleiman told Mashaal his country was determined to have the Palestinian factions sign a reconciliation agreement by the end of the month, and that Egypt would not accept an ongoing "endless chain of negotiations", particularly when the regional and international developments dictate a swift move by all elements.
Gilad Shalit was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip 1,082 days ago.
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