Talks stalled again?
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Shalit deal: Israel, Hamas in a vise
Arab sources tell Ynet Egypt pressuring Hamas to ease demands; German mediator pushing Israel to reconsider misgivings over prisoner exchange
The negotiation concerning the prisoner exchange deal are at a critical stage and each party is trying to apply pressure on its counterpart: Arab sources familiar with the negotiation told Ynet Tuesday that German mediator Ernst Uhrlau has asked Israel to reconsider its reservations in order to push the deal, meant to secure release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, through.
According to the sources, Jerusalem's current misgivings, which include deporting dozens of prisoners indefinitely and refusing to release several leaders – namely Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Sadat – as well as refusing to release Israeli Arabs imprisoned, are "too much" for Hamas to accept.
Talks
Under heavy cloud of secrecy, Hamas sources confirm receipt of clarifications of Israel's stance on prisoner exchange deal. Source says: 'We are determined to responds positively, but Israeli reservations cannot void deal of our demands'
A top source in Hamas stressed that the group will not accept any mass deportation of its prisoners, as Israel wants.
Egypt, Ynet learned from Arab sources, is pressuring Hamas to make further allowances while the German mediator asks the same from Jerusalem.
Hamas claimed Tuesday that Uhrlau postponed his visit to Gaza Strip at Israel's request, as the latter wanted to rephrase its answer. The Prime Minister's Office declined comment on the matter.
