Hamas withdraws demand on female prisoners

Hamas realizes won't be able to release all female prisoners. Meanwhile, Arab media reports Hamas negotiating with Turkey, Qatar about taking in 40 prisoners set to be deported overseas

Roi Kais|Last update: 10.16.11 , 12:12

Well-informed Palestinian sources told Ynet on Sunday that Hamas has withdrawn its demand to renegotiate the agreement on female terrorists to be released as part of the Shalit deal.

"Hamas admitted it had erred. Demands are presented before the signing of a deal, not after," one source said. "Contrary to what was published, a Hamas team was the one to submit the names of the 27 women, Israel only approved the list."

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Earlier on Sunday, various Arab media outlets reported that two issues were delaying the return of captive soldier Gilad Shalit on Tuesday. Israel, on its part, denied any difficulties.

Click here for the list of prisoners

The London-based Al-Hayat newspaper said that the implementation of the first stage of the deal depends on finding a country which will take in 40 prisoners deported from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Female prisoners leave Damon Prison (Photo: George Ginsburg)

"Well-informed" Palestinian sources told the paper that Israel insists that the 40 will be deported immediately after their release. Hamas officials are reportedly negotiating with Qatar and Turkey to take in the deported.

Israeli state officials are claiming there are currently no delays in the implementation of the deal. Special envoy David Meidan is in Cairo to finalize last details. Al-Hayat also reported that last "minute touches" are being added to the deal as part of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas which address the implementation of the first stage of the swap in terms of timing and location.

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera quoted "reliable" sources as saying there are disagreements between Israel and Hamas regarding the implementation of the deal in the original date. The disagreements allegedly concern the 40 deported prisoners and a number of female prisoners. This apparently is no longer relevant.

Shalit family prepares for Gilad's return (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

On Saturday, it was reported that Hamas is demanding that 10 additional female prisoners be released. According to the report, Hamas initially gathered that all Palestinian female prisoners held in Israel will be freed, but later learned there were more than they thought. However, both Israel and Egypt stressed the demand will not be met.

Palestinian media quoted a senior Egyptian element as saying Israel will ease its Gaza blockade after the deal is completed. The source noted this depends on Palestinian conduct. He added that Hamas was setting obstacles on the issue of checkpoints.