Is a breakthrough in the Shalit deal impending? The London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper quoted European and Egyptian sources Saturday, as saying "real progress" has been made in the prisoner exchange talks between Israel and
Hamas,
which could expedite the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
The progress, said the newspaper, was achieved as part of an overall deal offered by Cairo and sanctioned by Washington, as well as thanks to both Israel and Hamas elasticizing some of their stands.
| Rally |
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| 'Gilad paying the price for others' mistakes' / Ahiya Raved |
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Thousands gather at main rally in Tel Aviv to mark three years since Gilad Shalit was taken captive, family asks public to help bring him home. Tami Arad, wife of MIA navigator Ron Arad, urges Netanyahu to 'make the brave decision' |
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According to the report, the first stage of the deal, should it take place, would see Israel release 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, including 400 chosen by Hamas, women prisoners and all minors held in Israeli custody. In exchange, Shalit would be transferred to the Egyptian Intelligence.
The second stage would entail the release of all of the Islamist group's parliament members and ministers held by Israel, at which point Shalit's parents would be allowed to visit him in Cairo.
The third stage would see Israel release the remaining prisoners and Shalit's homecoming. This phase of the deal will take place as part of an agreement offered by Egypt, which also includes lifting the Gaza blockade in
full, and having the Palestinian Authority reclaim the control of the Rafah crossing, as they did prior to Hamas taking over the
Strip in 2006.
The negotiations meant to secure Shalit's release stalled after Hamas refused any compromised regarding the prisoner release, demanding 450 prisoners be released unconditionally; while Israel agreed to release 325, on condition they be deported.
Israel, on its part, insisted on anchoring the prisoner exchange deal with a ceasefire with
Hamas, and its refusal to lift the siege off Gaza.
According to the report, Israel had agreed to Hamas' new demand of 400 prisoners, as long as 150 of them are deported.
Nevertheless, the report did note that Israeli security sources, as well as Palestinian ones, were skeptic about the claims of progress in the deal.
Gilad Shalit has been in Hamas captivity for 1,098 days.
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