Hamas: Israeli response to Shalit deal expected within days
Member of group's political bureau reports of progress in talks, says kidnapped soldier 'won't see the light of day until Israel meets all of our demands and releases all the prisoners we demand'
Ghashek added that progress has been recorded despite the difficulties, but that Hamas insists on including in the deal senior operatives held in Israel, as well as prisoners defined as "extremely dangerous".
Ghashek also praised Shalit's guarding force, which is said to include eight gunmen who have not been replaced for three and a half years now. "They jailed themselves together with him so that the Jews fail to reach him, and have managed to hide him from the occupation all this time."
Noam and Aviva Sgalit on their way to PM's Office (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Shalit's parents, Noam and Aviva Shalit, arrived at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon to deliver a letter to Benjamin Netanyahu. The parents wrote, "We feel that the coming days are critical for our beloved son Gilad. We are following with deep concern and great hope the moves of the Israeli government and its leader, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, in your sincere efforts to bring Gilad back home. We turn to you, Mr. Prime Minister, before it's becomes too late."
Shortly before the family's arrival, the top seven cabinet ministers ended a long meeting which, according to estimates, was convened to discuss the details of a possible prisoner exchange deal.
The cabinet meeting was convened following a hasty announcement delivered on Saturday night. It began Sunday morning and continued in the afternoon. Ynet has learned that the ministers did not vote on a deal securing Shalit's release.
The letter was delivered to Netanyahu following a slew of reports in the Arab media and in the American Fox network that the prisoner exchange deal is being delayed due to the prime minister's reluctance over the price Hamas is demanding for the kidnapped soldier.
