Gaza sources: German mediator arrives with Israel's response
Sources in Strip tell Ynet talks between Hamas officials, Berlin mediator underway; add Islamic group's final decision likely to need Damascus leadership's approval
Gaza sources reported Wednesday that Hamas officials holding the Shalit portfolio have begun their meeting with the German mediator and his team.
The mediator is said to have brought Israel's response to the proposed prisoner exchange deal meant to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
The sources said Hamas is unlikely to give its final answer after only the first round of talks, and that any such decision would require further deliberation by the Islamist group, possibly involving its Damascus leadership.
The paper quoted Western diplomatic sources as saying 443 named, of the 450 Hamas demands, have been agreed upon; and that Israel insist that over 100 will be deported.
The paper's sources said that while Hamas may eventually agree to the deportation stipulation, the names themselves are nonnegotiable.
Nevertheless, Gaza sources told Ynet that Hamas may find away to elasticize his stance on the list, but will demand the deportation be temporary.
A source closed to Hamas' negotiation team stressed the group will consider "all political and humane" aspects of the talks prior to making its decision.
The 170-name list – out of which Israel was to choose 125 – was the focus of the series of hectic meeting held by the special seven-minister cabinet over the past week.
The prisoners slated to be release were chosen following Shin Bet recommendations.
Jerusalem sources found it difficult to say how long the talks would take at this time, cautiously venturing a guess of 10 days.
This time period should see a Hamas official leave for Syria to present the final outline to the Damascus leadership.
Meanwhile, the German mediator is expected to leave the Middle East for Berlin and is expected back after Christmas.
