Last update - 00:00 11/09/2007
Egypt still working toward release of abducted IDF soldiers
By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent
Egypt is still involved with efforts to free three Israeli soldiers held by Hamas and Hezbollah, Haaretz has learned.
The information came to light after a meeting Monday between Jerusalem's chief negotiator for the soldier's release and Egypt's intelligence minister.
Ofer Dekel, who is handling negotiations for the release of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, whom Hezbollah kidnapped last summer, met with Omar Suleiman in Cairo. Dekel is also in charge of talks for the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israel Defense Forces soldier whom Hamas abducted last June.
Dekel is refusing to comment on the meeting, but sources involved with the talks said the meeting was meant to prepare for the renewal of negotiations with Hamas and Hezbollah through Egypt. The goal, the sources added, was to find a formula that all sides would find acceptable.
The Egyptians terminated their involvement in efforts to negotiate Shalit's release after Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza last June, when Cairo's delegation to the Gaza Strip left the scene.
Four months ago, Hamas received, from Egypt, Israel's offer to release 450 prisoners out of a list of 1,000 to be supplied by Hamas. However, Hamas has not responded to the proposal. Instead, the organization gave Israel a list of 450 prisoners - many of whom had been convicted of bloody terrorist attacks - that Hamas demands be freed. Israel has so far refused to comply.