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Last update - 07:35 10/02/2009
Egyptian intelligence officials 'optimistic' about Shalit deal
By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: Gilad Shalit, Hamas 

Egyptian intelligence officials told their Israeli counterparts in recent days that they are optimistic about the chances of reaching a deal with Hamas for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit soon.

The sources said the pressure being exerted on Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal in Damascus is expected to bear fruit. Turkish officials, in coordination with Egypt, have held talks with Hamas officials - with whom they have developed close ties - in the Syrian capital to convince them to accept the deal currently offered by Cairo.

Haaretz has learned that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert needs to act in order for the Shalit deal to take place. "[Olmert] must call up the cabinet soon after the elections to the Knesset and bring an end to this matter," an anonymous source said. "The formula is ready and the opportunity is there. If Hamas comes back with an affirmative answer, we need to snap this up."
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Israel has agreed to all the demands of Hamas to free Gilad Shalit, except on the release of four prisoners, according to the Palestinian newspapers, Al-Quds Al-Arabi and Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, published in London. The Egyptian daily Al-Gumhuriya reported that Hamas and Israel will reach a tahadiyeh (cease-fire) agreement within the next 48 hours.

According to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, three of the four prisoners at the heart of the matter are Hamas operatives responsible for planning many suicide bombings: Abdullah Barghouti, who was responsible for a Jerusalem terrorist attack; Ibrahim Hamad, the head of Hamas military wing in the West Bank; Abas al-Sayid, who was responsible for the Passover attack at the Park Hotel in Netanya. the fourth is Ahmed Sa'adat, General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was charged, but not convicted, with involvement in minister Rehavam Ze'evi's murder.

Egyptian sources said Monday that Hamas has agreed to the Israeli demand to link the opening of the border crossings with the release of Shalit.

Gilad's father Noam Shalit met Monday with activists at the headquarters of the organization dedicated to Gilad's release, to evaluate recent reports on serious progress in negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

"There cannot be an agreement [for a cease-fire] or on opening the crossings without the return of Gilad as a precondition," read a statement from the Shalit family.

Related articles:
  • Report: Shalit deal hinges on Israel release of four terrorists
  • ANALYSIS / Fatah fears Shalit deal will bring down Abbas
  • ANALYSIS / Hamas rift holding up approval of Gilad Shalit deal
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