'Hamas to settle on Shalit issue for Fatah accord'
Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper reports Islamist movement to pledge solving captive soldier issue in 'reasonable, speedy' manner as part of internal Palestinian reconciliation agreement
According to the report, Egypt has agreed to add minor changes to the reconciliation draft in order to solve the current crises between the two movements.
The newspaper further reported that the amendments will address Hamas requests in exchange for the group's pledge to solve the issue of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit in a quick and reasonable manner. Sources told the paper that any move will be immediately reported to the US.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak criticized Hamas' refusal to sign a Palestinian accord with Fatah on Monday. Mubarak said that this works to Israel's advantage.
He further noted that the Palestinian factions have been negotiating a reconciliation deal for eight months and have even reached a consensus but when the time came to sign it, several groups backed out and sought new amendments.
The Egyptian president warned that should disagreements continue, along with requests to change the accord, Palestinian territories may be lossed.
He noted that the crisis is costing the Palestinian people their rights. "The current problem concerns the failure to achieve internal Palestinian reconciliation which is in line with Israel's interest, who is the first to benefit from this state," he said.
Gilad Shalit was abducted to the Gaza Strip 1,346 days ago
