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Last update - 07:15 13/02/2009
Hamas: Shalit release not included in Gaza truce
By The Associated Press
Tags: israel news, hamas, gaza, IDF

Hamas deputy chief Moussa Abu Marzouk said Thursday night that the Islamic militant group has agreed to a long-term truce with Israel, but that the deal would not include the immediate release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

Abu Marzouk told MENA that Egypt's government, which has been mediating
between Hamas and Israel, would announce the truce within two days of consultations with other Palestinian factions, but said that a deal for Shalit's release would be negotiated later.
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Abu Marzouk also told the agency that under the Egyptian-brokered deal Israel will reopen six border crossings with the strip.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said the Israeli government had no comment on the report.

Egypt has been trying to broker a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, which is holding Shalit, who was abducted more than two years ago in a cross-border raid from Gaza into southern Israel.

Earlier on Thursday, Hamas said a truce agreement with Israel on the Gaza Strip would most likely be announced in the next three days.

"Most of the obstacles that prevented us from reaching an agreement were resolved and an announcement of a deal is expected within three days," said Taher al-Nono, a member of Hamas's negotiating team in Cairo.

Nono said the agreement would ensure the end of all violence in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the opening of the territory's border crossings.

Hamas demands any Gaza truce include full opening of its borders. Israel wants guarantees Hamas will be prevented from smuggling weapons into Gaza.

Also Thursday, MENA said Hamas' strongman from Gaza, Mahmoud Zahar, and deputy chief Moussa Abu Marzouk from the group's Damascus branch were taking part in the negotiations in the Egyptian capital.

Egyptian intelligence chief Gen. Omar Suleiman has been trying to broker a more solid cease-fire following Israel's 22-day offensive in Gaza last month, which was launced in aim to bring Hamas's rocket firing into southern Israel to a halt.

Related articles:
  • Egypt working dual track for Gaza truce as rockets hit Negev
  • Hamas delegation to arrive in Cairo to respond to Gaza truce proposal
  • Noam Shalit tells Blair: Chance to free my son may never come again
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      1.   Shalit? 21:55  |  danny 12/02/09
      2.   Clown Israeli politicians 21:57  |  John 12/02/09
      3.   Mahmoud Zahar and Moussa Abu Marzouk 22:17  |  Adam 12/02/09
      4.   No Shalit No Calm 23:14  |  Joseph.E 12/02/09
      5.   Peace deal? Hamas demands the opening of the borders! 23:19  |  martin knopfman 12/02/09
      6.   #2 - there is a new right wing government! 23:20  |  martin knopfman 12/02/09
      7.   Rafah crossing Closed unless Shalit released . 23:31  |  Joseph.E 12/02/09
      8.   Recognise No Coalition Gov`t unless Shalit release . 23:38  |  Joseph.E 12/02/09
      9.   open borders: how about coming out? ports? 00:15  |  Paul Freedman 13/02/09
      10.   Israel capitulates as always,the junta governing the country 00:18  |  Absolute Sweden 13/02/09
      11.   Fear not 00:50  |  Goldberg 13/02/09
      12.   #5 Lets hope that they send Iran a message. 01:06  |  Adam 13/02/09
      13.   kadima has no business of making any deals now 01:25  |  vik 13/02/09
      14.   Let`s See It In Writing This Time 01:26  |  Jeff Northridge 13/02/09
      15.   Just pointing out.... 04:02  |  Johnboy 13/02/09
      16.   Hamas knows what`s good for them 05:15  |  Conroy 13/02/09
      17.   Israel 05:57  |  Yosemite 13/02/09
      18.   no shalit NO CEASEFIRE...NO BORDER OPENING 06:34  |  real vision 13/02/09
      19.   I guess there will be no prisoner exchanges 06:50  |  Susanna/shoshana 13/02/09
      20.   Only One Sure Way To Free Shalit 06:54  |  Shimon Cleopas 13/02/09
      21.   Johnboy 07:05  |  Ed 13/02/09
      22.   Hamas Truce (load of Bull crap) 07:42  |  J Mitchell-Yamark 13/02/09
      23.   There`s a word in there you forgot 08:58  |  sh 13/02/09
      24.   #16 Ceasefire should be for ever..Otherwise,it is a waste of time 21:09  |  KATHY 13/02/09
      25.   #18(First Atempt) no shalit,NO CEASEFIRE..NO BORDER OPENENING 21:13  |  KATHY 13/02/09
      26.   #16 (trying)Conroy Spot on..They have been defeated .. 21:32  |  KATHY 13/02/09
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