Mashaal to discuss Shalit with Egyptian intel chief

Hamas' Hamdan claims Israel softened its 'stubborn' positions in negotiations to secure release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit

Elior Levy|Published: 08.17.11 , 08:12

Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal is slated to meet chief Egyptian intelligence officer Murad Muafi in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss a prisoner exchange deal with Israel, the London-based daily al-Hayat has reported.

On Tuesday, senior Hamas member Usama Hamdan claimed Israel softened its "stubborn" positions in the negotiations to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

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Sources in Jerusalem have confirmed that talks have been renewed. The Israeli team is headed by David Meidan, who was appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to handle the Shalit case.

Palestinian sources told the newspaper that Israel has become more flexible on the issue of releasing Israeli-Arab detainees, and those from east Jerusalem. According to reports, Israel refused to discuss these prisoners until recently.

Moreover, a Palestinian source claimed that Israel agreed to make other concessions on the issue of expelling the prisoners from Israel, saying that "it was agreed to reduce the number of prisoners who will be deported after their release."