Libman. 'No new information'
Photo: Avihu Shapira
Protest for Shalit
Photo: Yaron Brener
Shalit campaign: No information on progress
State official tells Ynet talks for release of kidnapped soldier ongoing, but head of Shalit campaign says no new information received. Supporters to gather in Western Wall to mark soldier's 23rd birthday, after four years in captivity
"We have no reason to believe that the recent reports on a deal for the release of Gilad Shalit are true," the headquarters for the campaign for the release of the kidnapped solider said in response to reports of alleged progress in talks.
Almost every report on progress in talks for a prisoner exchange deal was followed by a conflicting report. Meanwhile, a state official confirmed to Ynet that negotiations are ongoing.
Online Activity
Campaign to recruit activists, open Facebook group titled 'Gilad's army of friends'. Campaign head: Popular protest bearing an electorate threat will have influence over decision makers. 'We hope to recruit hundreds of thousands,' he says
Nonetheless, the sources stressed that it was still too soon to talk about the soldier's release.
The campaign's head, Shimshon Libman told Ynet, "We read the reports, and hear what is being said, but we have no indication or reason to believe they are true. As far as we know, and based on past experience, these are speculations in the Arab media or Hamas or Egyptian spins serving their interests."
He added the headquarters and the Shalit family have received no new information on progress of the talks or of significant developments occurring recently.
Meanwhile, a rally is scheduled to take place at the Western Wall Wednesday night in honor of the soldier's 23rd birthday according to the Hebrew calendar. This is Shalit's fourth birthday in captivity.
Thousands of worshippers are expected to attend, and Israel's former Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau will speak at the event.
Wednesday morning, London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported that "real progress" was being made in talks for Shalit's release. Egyptian sources told the paper the change was due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah's strong desire to resolve the matter.
According to the report, Israel agreed at the time to release 325 prisoners out of the 450 demanded by Hamas, and had asked the Palestinian organization to change the remaining 125 controversial prisoners.
Hamas is said to have agreed, after Netanyahu took office, to have some of the prisoners deported upon their release. Palestinian sources reported that Hamas reached this stance after holding a poll among the prisoners on the matter.
The newspaper also reports that an extensive diplomatic activity has been taking place between Israel and Egypt in recent days, and the matter also arose in a telephone conversation between Netanyahu and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak a few days ago.
The two discussed removing obstacles standing in the way of a prisoner exchange deal. Netanyahu also thanked Mubarak for thwarting a plan to assassinate Israeli ambassador to Cairo, Shalom Cohen.
Gliad Shalit was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip 1,144 days ago.
Roni Sofer contributed to this report
