Hamas: Carter represents White House policy

Although no longer an American official, former US President Jimmy Carter represents the policy of the current White House Administration, a senior Hamas man said Tuesday in the wake of Carter's Gaza tour.

"Carter is not only acting out of his own accord," Mushir al-Masri told Ynet. "I believe his activity is undertaken in the framework of the American Administration's policy."

According to al-Masri, the ideas raised by Carter during his meetings with Hamas' top brass in Gaza represent American policy.

"His words regarding the principles of a prisoner swap were positive and constructive, and may serve as a basis for resolving the Shalit problem," he said.

Al-Masri added that Carter's visit to Gaza and his meetings with group leaders show that many international elements realize that "Hamas is a highly significant player in the area and cannot be ignored or circumvented."

Carter hands over Shalit letter

Meanwhile, hours after visiting the Gaza Strip, former US President Jimmy Carter met with Noam Shalit, the father of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, confirming that he handed over to Hamas a letter written by the soldier's family.

"I didn't hear anything new from Carter; he merely confirmed that he handed over the letter but he couldn't say whether it reached its destination," Noam Shalit said.

During his Gaza visit, Carter met with senior Hamas officials, including Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. The former president asked Hamas to hand over a letter to Shalit on humanitarian grounds. He added that his proposal for Shalit's release includes the release of Palestinian women, children, and parliament members held by Israel.

"I'm convinced that he's alive," Carter said, referring to the abducted soldier.

Attila Somfalvi and Ahiya Raved contributed to the story