Anxious mother – Aviva Shalit
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Shalit deal: Moment of truth nears
Senior ministers convene for fifth meeting in past two days ahead of final decision on Gilad Shalit swap; Fox News says PM Netanyahu toughened stance, changed his mind about releasing some prisoners to West Bank
Ministers convene for for key meeting: For the fifth time in the past two days, Israel's top seven government ministers are convening to discuss the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates are saying that the process may continue for several more days. The ministers were scheduled to meet at 8 pm Monday.
Shalit Affair
Ynet reporters
Bereaved parents demand to appear before government in bid to avert release of hundreds of terrorists as part of Shalit deal
According to the report, the prime minister changed his mind after agreeing earlier to release some prisoners to the West Bank, in line with Hamas' demands. At this time, the PM is reportedly demanding that the detainees be sent to Gaza or abroad, where they will pose a smaller risk.
'Hadas threatens to quit'
The same source told Fox News that Netanyahu's legacy left by his predecessor, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left him at a disadvantage. Israel's opening position was weaker than expected and required that mistakes made in the past be rectified first, he said, adding that "some mistakes cannot be rectified."
Nevertheless, concluded the source, the current negotiation team was able to achieve better results than before.
The report also cited sources suggesting Hagai Hadas, the Prime Minister's Office emissary heading Israel's efforts on behalf of Shalit, may step down should the cabinet reject the final outline for the prisoner exchange deal. Jerusalem denied the report.
The latest meetings by the special seven-minister cabinet do not necessarily indicate that a deal is imminent, but rather, only that the ministers are under pressure to make a decision. "Time is of the essence," said the source. "Any future deal will lead to worse results than the current one."
