
When will Shalit be back?
Photo: AFP
Getting closer to a deal? Hamas has handed over to Israel a new prisoner list as part of the efforts to complete a swap for abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, Fox News reported Thursday, adding that such deal is nearing completion.
A source involved in the swap talks told Fox News that Israel informed the German mediator that the 70 prisoners in dispute will not be released under any circumstances, even if it means Shalit will remain in captivity.
According to the report, the new list includes 70 news names aimed at replacing 70 detainees that Israel strongly objects to releasing.
Shalit Affair
Hamas, PA officials continue to express optimism about possibility of finalizing deal securing kidnapped soldier's release in near future. Sources involved in talks say hundreds of Fatah prisoners to be released as well in bid to prevent Palestinian public opinion from shifting towards Hamas
According to the source, the new list submitted by Hamas will be examined in the near future by Israel's negotiation team.
Reports of an imminent deal to secure Shalit's release abounded in recent days. However, the abducted soldier's father, Noam, says that he was not aware of any such information after meeting with France's foreign minister.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Palestinian sources told Ynet that according to recent indications, the efforts to finalize a swap have seen major progress, and that the deal may be completed by year's end.