Gilad Shalit
Hamas: Gaps remain over prisoner deal
Source in Islamic militant group says names of 50 prisoners still being debated, signaling significant gaps over emerging deal
A senior Hamas official
says the Islamic militant group is still sparring with Israel over the names of 50 prisoners it wants released in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier.
The assessment signaled there are still significant gaps over the emerging deal. Last week, Israeli and Hamas officials spoke of progress, raising speculation that an agreement could be wrapped up within days.
Hamas wants nearly 1,000 prisoners for an Israeli soldier it has held for more than three years.
The Hamas official said Israel is still balking at including prominent political leaders and top Hamas militants it holds. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the German-mediated negotiations.
In Gaza, Hamas' interior minister said he hoped a deal would be reached by year's end.
