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Last update - 04:48 11/08/2008 Defense Ministry: No progress with Hamas on Shalit swap deal By Barak Ravid Tags: Egypt, Israel, Gilad Shalit  The Egyptian mediators brokering a deal for the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit have made no progress in their talks with Hamas, a Defense Ministry official told the government Sunday. The ministry's Amos Gilad said the chances for jump-starting negotiations were low. The report by Gilad, who visited Cairo on Thursday where he met with the head of Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman, is scheduled to be reviewed Monday by a ministerial team, which will meet at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem to discuss the release of Palestinian prisoners. The team is not expected to discuss the possibility of altering the criteria for releasing prisoners, a source involved in the negotiations for Shalit's release said. If this turns out to be the case, the team will refrain from addressing Hamas' demands that Israel release prisoners who have been convicted of killing Israelis. Advertisement The small group of ministers is slated to review prisoners who could be released "as a gesture of good will" toward Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, government sources said. An Israeli official told Haaretz that the government is interested in releasing the prisoners as a gesture to Abbas "to prevent a situation where only Hamas is having achievements as a result of abducting Israel Defense Forces troops." In a meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Abbas he would free 100 to 150 prisoners by the end of the month. Olmert would not, however, say which prisoners he would release. Palestinian officials in Ramallah are interested in having Olmert release prisoners who have been serving long sentences, such as those jailed since before the Oslo Accords. The ministerial team is headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon and co-chaired by Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, former head of the Shin Bet security service Avi Dichter and Minister without Portfolio Ami Ayalon. The ministers are due to compile a list of candidates for release with the help of the Shin Bet, the Israel Prison Service and the Justice Ministry. The list would later be sent for approval to the Security Cabinet or cabinet. Once the ministerial team completes the list of prisoners to be released as a good-will gesture, the team will continue to discuss the prisoners whose release Hamas is seeking in exchange for Shalit. The Islamist organization abducted Shalit more than two years ago from an army post overlooking the Gaza Strip. Egypt: Gaza crossing will remain shut until Shalit deal reached Report: Egypt warns Hamas of major IDF Gaza raid if Shalit not freed Bookmark to del.icio.us   Israelis in Georgia IDF soldiers who taught Georgian troops keep an eye on the recent conflict. Children of Hamas 200 Palestinian teens graduate from Hamas summer school, prepare for battle with Israel.   1.   The liberation of Gilead Shalit. 07:41  |  Jean Van Daem 11/08/08   2.   Another of Olmert`s Successes - Deals. 08:40  |  justiceforall 11/08/08   3.   Jean van Daem recommends another Israeli war crime # 1 10:52  |  Clickfool 11/08/08   4.   #3 clickfool will explain the term occupying power 13:33  |  xyz news 11/08/08

Read & React Olmert gives Abbas plan for Israeli pullout from 93% of W. Bank Responses: 128 Aluf Benn: Hamas could still turn Gaza into the Taiwan of the Mideast Responses: 20 Editorial: IDF is prepared to turn blind eye to illegal shooting of bound Palestinian Responses: 26 Haaretz TV: Palestinian gardeners say Olmert's security guards beat them up Responses: 15 Moshe Arens: Iran has blinded Israeli leaders to Hamas, Hezbollah threat Responses: 10 More Headlines 17:46 Russia to withdraw troops sent into South Ossetia 16:32 PA rejects Olmert's offer to withdraw from 93% of West Bank 13:34 Two El Al planes set off to evacuate Israelis from Georgia 15:59 Barak: We're closely monitoring the strengthening of Hezbollah 17:01 Bar-On's 2009 budget proposal: More money for defense, welfare, education 14:57 Beijing Olympics / Two Israeli swimmers break national records 16:10 Two Jews and a black man help Phelps fulfill Olympic dream 08:14 Haaretz newsletter: All the news from Israel direct to your inbox 15:01 Israel grants war vet status to woman raped by British troops in Mandate Palestine 15:39 Negev Bedouin found shot dead in Rishon Letzion 16:00 Government to move illegal outpost Migron to existing settlement 11:16 Hamas says not interested in renewing Shalit negotiations 08:13 VIDEO / Russian-language media in Israel lean toward Georgia 06:14 Mofaz attracting surprising level of support in Kadima Previous Editions Select Day 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug 04 aug 03 aug 01 aug 31 jul 30 jul 29 jul

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