Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., July 30, 2008 Tamuz 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:02 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 06:39 29/07/2008 Talks with Hamas over Shalit to resume Tuesday By Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel and Barak Ravid Tags: israel, gilad shalit  Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas over a prisoner swap that will free abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit are expected to resume Tuesday after they were suspended for three weeks. But security officials told Haaretz Monday that talks over the exchange have been hampered by the instability of Israel's government during the corruption investigations against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Police investigations of Olmert have weakened his political authority. Accused of accepting cash-stuffed envelopes from a U.S. fund-raiser and making duplicate claims for travel expenses, Olmert denies wrongdoing but says he will resign if indicted. Advertisement Under such circumstances, security officials said, agreeing on a complicated deal with Hamas would be difficult. Sources cite the difficulty in which the government approved a much simpler swap with Hezbollah earlier this month in which the bodies of two abducted IDF soldiers were traded for terrorist Samir Kuntar and four Hezbollah militants. Another reason for the delay in talks over Shalit's release has been Hamas' claim that Israel has violated the cease-fire that went into effect a few weeks ago. The Islamic group was expected to send a delegation to renew the indirect talks in Cairo a number of times but canceled their departure, claiming that Israel cut off the transfer of goods into the Gaza Strip or violated other terms of the cease-fire. Earlier this month Hamas told Israel it was unwilling to compromise over the prisoners it wants to be released in exchange for Shalit. Hamas has named 450 prisoners it wants freed from Israeli jails, but so far Israel has agreed to let go only 70 of them. Many of the prisoners Hamas wants released have been convicted of killing Israelis and include operatives that organized suicide bombings. During a previous meeting of the governmental committee debating the criteria for releasing Palestinian prisoners, members agreed on easing restrictions regarding prisoners that will be included in a prisoner swap. Olmert said, however, that any compromise by Israel must be met with a compromise by Hamas. Hamas should not expect such generous deals in the future, he added. Another security official said Israel was not sure whether the Hamas delegation would change its stance after arriving in Cairo Tuesday morning. "Israel is still waiting for Hamas to agree to open negotiations with Israel through Egypt," he said. The Palestinian team will probably include senior Hamas members Musa Abu-Marzuk, Siad Siam and Mahmoud Zahar. Israel will be represented by its official charged with negotiating the release of Shalit, Ofer Dekel. Jerusalem sources said Monday that Egypt's influence over Hamas, which forcibly took over the Gaza Strip from Fatah last year, has grown, but that the government's weakness has prevented Israel from allowing Cairo to advance talks. They said that Hamas is well aware of the government's instability and is wary about making advances in talks in the near future. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stepped up a campaign to oust Olmert, charging Monday that their centrist Kadima party had lost its way under his leadership. "The sense of hope that had been a part of the establishment of Kadima has been lost along the way," Livni said, according to a transcript of her remarks released by a spokesman. Related articles: Shalit's unit to be discharged Tuesday, but without their comrade Holding photo of Gilad Shalit, Betancourt urges 'freedom for everyone' Pop singer Aviv Gefen pens new ballad calling to free Shalit Bookmark to del.icio.us   Internal fighting Human rights groups say torture is widespread in Palestinian lockups. Danger looms Pentagon chief Robert Gates warns: War with Iran would be 'disastrous.'   1.   The liberation of Gilead Shalit. 07:04  |  Jean Van Daem 29/07/08   2.   איוון 08:34  |  חיפה 29/07/08   3.   Typical Olmert government BS 08:38  |  Colonel 29/07/08   4.   Arrogant Hamas accusing Israel of violating the Cease-fire 09:01  |  Dolly 29/07/08   5.   Israel still doesn`t realise where the power lies 09:19  |  Clickfool 29/07/08   6.   #5 Clickfool - usual foolishness 05:27  |  * BEN JABO 30/07/08

Read & React Source: Olmert ready to relax criteria for releasing prisoners in Shalit swap Responses: 67 Jewish blogger is the watchdog of the Orthodox world Responses: 45 Israeli officials: Syria taking peace talks seriously Responses: 33 Haaretz TV: Hebron settlers set up outpost on IDF base Responses: 71 Editorial: Why aren't we taking on rampaging settlers? Responses: 59 Rosner's Domain Lieberman seen as good veep choice (WTR) What American Jews believe (WTR) Barack Obama, the fashionable darling of the Israeli left The Lebanese are undercutting goodwill in Washington (WTR) More Headlines 03:14 Abbas: If Israel frees Hamas prisoners, I will dismantle PA 05:32 Mofaz: No talks on core issues while coalition on verge of collapse 02:15 Barak: U.S. to link Israel with advanced missile detection systems 03:02 ANALYSIS: Israeli security forces are losing control in the West Bank 04:12 U.S. says settlements are 'problem' as Israel-PA talks shift to Washington 05:47 Maccabi Haifa signs the 'Jewish Jordan' for next season 04:27 Olmert-Barak spat keeps ratcheting up 00:29 Huge blast rocks Hamas training base wounding at least five 23:14 Olmert: Syria must choose between peace and isolation 21:33 Palestinian boy, 9, killed during protest at West Bank fence 21:18 Jewish World / Parents get the Birthright experience 00:29 VIDEO: Despite Gaza truce, Hamas men undergo advanced military training 02:50 Palestinian PM appeals for World Bank aid to pay public sector wages 03:43 IDF launches new probe of officer who ordered bound Palestinian shot 04:41 Police pressure shooting suspect to incriminate crime boss Previous Editions Select Day 29 jul 28 jul 27 jul 25 jul 24 jul 23 jul 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul 16 jul

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Yossi Avrahami Presents: New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat Holyland Park Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved