Shalit deal: Gaps between Israel, Hamas wide

London's al-Hayat paper says Egypt resumes role as mediator; quotes Cairo source as saying Israel's position 'radical'

Roee Nahmias|Published: 06.22.11 , 07:40

Israel and Hamas are far from agreeing on steps which could advance the Shalit deal, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat reported.

The paper, quoting an Egyptian source, said that Hamas has recently rejected a new Israeli proposal which sought to reignite the negotiations on behalf of the captive soldier.

Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop

The source said Egypt was "acting as a mediator, but the gaps between the parties are still very wide."

The newspaper said that Hamas was "very serious" about renewing the negotiations and seeing the deal mature via Egypt. Gaza's rulers are demanding Israel flex its position on the number of prisoners included in a future exchange deal, as well as add "major" prisoners to the list.

Al-Hayat described Israel's negotiating position as "radical and very difficult."

Hamas meanwhile, denied receiving any new draft in the matter.

Also Tuesday, the Jordanian daily al-Sabil reported that Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing, managed to foil an Israeli attempt to abduct a senior member in the organization.

According to the report – which was not corroborated by any other source and is considered highly doubtful – "Arabized" Israeli agents were present in Gaza Strip and were surveilling "top members of the organization."

According to the Jordanian paper's "special source," it was "the high alert in the organization which stopped the abduction and the Arabized agents fled the Strip before they could be apprehended."

The newspaper said that the purpose of the mission was to kidnap a high-ranking official who could then be used as a bargaining chip in the Shalit deal.