Defense Minister Ehud Barak
clarified Sunday morning that the optimistic reports on a possible prison release deal between Israel
and Hamas
were "incorrect and may even be causing damage."
Arab media outlets have been reporting in the past few days about progress made on the matter, including far-reaching agreements on the release of Palestinian prisoners and reports that kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit
would be freed from captivity in Gaza and turned over to Egypt
very soon.
| Progress? |
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| Report: Israel, Hamas reach compromise on Shalit deal / Roee Nahmias |
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London's Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper quotes European, Egyptian source as saying Jerusalem, Islamist group agree on guidelines to prisoner exchange deal |
| Full story |
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Barak, who is expected to leave for Washington in order to discuss the American demand for a stop to settlements,
said that the matter had yet to be resolved.
"It's possible that the regional issue – including the Syrian one
– will be raised as part of our discussions with the Americans," he added.
Cabinet meeting (Photo: Dudi Vaaknin)
The Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Sunday morning that the defense minister would promise the Americans a three-month freeze in settlement construction, including in terms of "natural growth". The report angered several ministers.
"If anyone has such an idea, they better shelve it. Such a plan will not pass," said Environment Protection Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud).
Shas
Chairman Eli Yishai said, "If there is such a plan, it should not be activated. This is not the first time Barak makes such remarks."
Minister Avishay Braverman (Labor)
said, on the other hand, that "the most important thing is to reach understandings with the Americans. This means that some of the settlements will be removed and some will remain."
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