Protestors outside of tent
Photo: AP
Ofer Dekel. In Cairo
Photo: Oren Agmon
Dekel in Cairo for Shalit talks
Special envoy travels to Egypt, where unconfirmed reports say current conflict between Israel, Hamas centers on hundreds of terrorists demanded by organization in return for captive soldier
Special envoy Ofer Dekel was in Cairo Tuesday for negotiations aimed at releasing kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit from captivity.
Unconfirmed reports from Egypt say that Dekel visited Cairo on Sunday, and met with Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, who heads mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas on the topic of Shalit.
Other Side
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Egyptian reports say the two met to discuss a list of terrorists to be released in a prisoner swap deal. Officials in Israel declined comment.
But unofficial sources in Israel, including high-ranking officials, told Ynet that Israel and Hamas are currently at odds over the release of hundreds of terrorists.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed reports that Israel offered Hamas an alternative list of terrorists through Dekel and Egyptian mediation. However It remains unclear whether Hamas has considered the prisoners Israel has offered to release.
The alternative list was comprised as a substitute for terrorists demanded by Hamas. The names were approved a number of months ago by a committee responsible for easing restrictions on prisoner release, headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon.
The committee has not convened since the alternative list was compiled, and Ramon's office stated that no future meetings had been scheduled. Officials in Jerusalem claim the committee will not reconvene because Ramon objects to the release of the hundreds of terrorists demanded by Hamas.
Shalit's father Noam told Ynet he was unaware of the details of Dekel's current visit to Cairo, and had no information on the negotiations. He was speaking from his protest tent in Jerusalem, where he said he believed over a thousand people had visited to show their support.
