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Last update - 05:33 16/07/2008 Hamas representatives delay talks on swap for Shalit By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: shalit, hamas Hamas representatives postponed negotiations with Israel Monday over Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, held captive in the Gaza Strip. The talks were expected to begin this week in Cairo. Israel believes Hamas is trying to force Egypt to open the Rafah crossing before beginning talks. A senior Hamas delegation from Gaza and Damascus was expected to arrive Monday in Cairo to meet with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman. Ofer Dekel, an envoy of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, was also due in Cairo. Advertisement The Egyptians planned to hold intensive talks over Shalit, similar to those currently being held between Israel and Syria through Turkish mediation. Hamas representatives told officials in Cairo that they "need more time to think." The Shalit issue was also discussed at a cabinet meeting on Monday. Minister without Portfolio Ami Ayalon said the case of missing Israeli airman Ron Arad bears a "shocking resemblance" to that of Shalit. Arad has been missing since his plane was shot down over Lebanon in 1986. Yesterday, Olmert criticized a report by Hezbollah as "unsatisfactory" in shedding light on his fate. "The discussion today only heightens the necessity of moving talks forward on the issue of Gilad Shalit," Ayalon said. "What we have learned is that time doesn't work in our favor, and that the price only rises and the dangers only grow." "We must not rest on our laurels," said Defense Minister Ehud Barak. "We must continue to utilize the window of calm in Gaza to advance negotiations for Shalit's release." "We have been forced to make difficult decisions here in Jerusalem, and in Gaza," he said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Lessons from the New World European Jews would do well to look to U.S. Jews for lessons on renewal. Press doyen Eric Silver, veteran of the foreign press corps in Jerusalem, dies aged 73.   1.   Ouchhh! 09:55  |  S 16/07/08   2.   What a bunch of loosers lead Israel; no backbone, corrupt, 10:46  |  Romano 16/07/08   3.   Hamas and Thinking 10:49  |  Star of David 16/07/08   4.   Its all about the Rafah Crossing. Period. 11:39  |  Stephen. 16/07/08   5.   #1, S 12:45  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 16/07/08   6.   Israel needs to stand tuff against Hamas. Israel 15:11  |  aaa 16/07/08   7.   Man, that Barak is a real laugh a minute, isn`t he? 16:03  |  Johnboy 16/07/08   8.   HOW WILL SHALIT RETURN?THAT "REMAINS" TO BE SEEN IN MERT`S REIGN 16:22  |  glenna 16/07/08   9.   7 Johnboy - Reporter Mis- heard 18:05  |  Mark of Lewiston 16/07/08

Read & React Samir Kuntar: I'm yearning more than ever to confront Israel Responses: 140 Shalit talks hit impasse as Hamas hangs on to 'asset' Responses: 63 Marco Greenberg: The real story of anti-Semitism in the U.S. Responses: 50 Akiva Eldar: Assad was right - now is not the time for talks Responses: 8 David Landau: Olmert has walked right into Nasrallah's trap Responses: 5 Rosner's Domain Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps? Talansky threatened to use a bomb - a long time ago (WTR) The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel Attacking Iran to get the world's attention? More Headlines 12:51 Six arrested in Israel for allegedly plotting attack on Bush 10:53 Talansky tells Olmert's lawyers: I am not a money launderer 08:36 Shalit talks deadlocked as Hamas hangs on to 'asset' 00:47 Samir Kuntar: I'm yearning more than ever to confront Israel 13:15 Israeli film 'To die in Jerusalem' gets three Emmy nominations 05:55 ANALYSIS / What does Nasrallah mean by 'defense strategy'? 09:15 This hyphenated life, post two / Jew me down 07:25 Rabbis felt emotional difficulty in identifying remains 12:44 Serbia setting up case against alleged Nazi unit member living in U.S. 08:34 Arab envoys attend farewell party for outgoing UN ambassador Dan Gillerman 09:12 New book points out early IDF intelligence flops 05:34 Could machinations foil Kadima vote on primary? 05:41 Interfaith meet ushers cracks in Saudi hostility toward Israel 11:46 Girl, 16, arrested for pimping out 13-year-old neighbor Previous Editions Select Day 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul

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