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Protest in support of Gilad Shalit
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin

Hamas: Shalit deal far from closing

Sources say conflict still centers on prisoners whom Israel considers to have "blood on their hands"

Hamas sources involved in negotiations on the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit told Ynet Saturday that a prisoner-swap deal was still far from closing, despite reports to the contrary.

 

The sources said the main conflict was still over Palestinian prisoners Israel considers to have "blood on their hands" – namely who will be released and where to.

 

The Hamas officials added that their organization would like the Shalit deal to be part of a wider accord encompassing issues related to the Gaza Strip, including the lifting of Israel's siege, the opening of crossings, and a wide-ranging truce.

 

Reports also vary on the reason for which a Hamas delegation, headed by Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, was scheduled to be sent to Egypt Saturday.

 

Recent reports say the visit is intended to smooth over the Shalit deal, and a Saudi paper has reported Mashaal would travel to Cairo to finalize the deal in coming days.

 

But Dr. Salah al-Bardawil, a senior Hamas official in Gaza and formerly the head of its parliamentary bloc in the Palestinian government, said the visit is part of negotiations over the inner split between Hamas and Fatah.

 

He added that the delegation would not discuss Shalit. "We appreciate the Egyptian effort, but we still can't speak of a solution regarding the deal," he said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.04.09, 23:34
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