Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., February 17, 2009 Shvat 23, 5769 | | Israel Time: 09:26 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Cabinet to vote on wording for deal to free Shalit, Gaza truce By Amos Harel, Barak Ravid, Avi Issacharoff and Raphael Ahren Tags: hamas, gaza, gilad shalit  Israel's political leadership decided on Sunday to prepare the text for a cabinet decision on a deal with Hamas for captured Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit and a renewed cease-fire. Shalit was captured by Gaza militants in a cross-border raid in 2006. Hamas has demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons in exchange for Shalit. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak opted to prepare a document for possible presentation to the cabinet on Wednesday. Advertisement Meanwhile, a source at the Prime Minister's Bureau said that "efforts to gain the release of Shalit have been significantly accelerated and they will be intensified even more." But the prime minister's declaration Saturday that there will be no cease-fire agreement or the reopening of the border crossings into Gaza without the release of Shalit stands in stark contrast to Hamas' position. The Islamist group is demanding that the two issues be kept separate and wants the crossings to be reopened before any prisoner exchange. Egyptian officials are now busy on a formula that would allow both sides to claim that their stance was accepted. However, in Israel some observers are pessimistic that Cairo's efforts will bear fruit, and some sources expressed concern that Hamas may toughen its stance in the belief that this will improve their hand. Another key issue is the identity of the Palestinians that each side is willing to see freed. Hamas has demanded a large proportion of the prisoners on its list of 350 to 450 names. Significant progress has been made, and Israel now opposes only several dozen names. A spokesman for Hamas' military wing, Abu Obeida, said Sunday that the group insists on the release of three senior figures: Ibrahim Hamed, the leader of the military wing in the West Bank; Abdullah Barghouti, responsible among others for the bombings at the Sbarro pizzeria and Cafe Moment in Jerusalem; and Abbas al-Sayed, mastermind of the Park Hotel massacre in Netanya. On the other hand, there seems to be support in Israel for the release of Marwan Barghouti, the jailed leader of Fatah's more militant Tanzim faction. Hader Shkirat, attorney for Barghouti, told Haaretz on Sunday that there will be no deal for Shalit without the release of Barghouti. Related articles: IAF hits Gaza weapon-making facilities, smuggling tunnels Hamas: Shalit release not included in Gaza truce MI Chief: Hamas upholding cease-fire, but smaller Gaza groups undeterred Livni, Barak, Olmert working on proposal for Shalit-Gaza deal Bookmark to del.icio.us   967 days of captivity Officials say Israel may authorize terms for Shalit deal Wednesday. Muslim superheroes A new comic book features a new kind of character to battle radical Islam.   1.   the question is:how long will the weak mert hold out on his words 06:32  |  glenna 16/02/09   2.   All the keys are in the hands of israeli leaders. 07:23  |  B Saleem 16/02/09   3.   What deal? I thought Olmert said that he was not talking to Hamas 07:25  |  007.0876 16/02/09   4.   verify the condition of our lost lamb 07:50  |  Michael Hessler 16/02/09   5.   No need to release any prisoners for Shalit 08:00  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 16/02/09   6.   Ah Glenna! 08:01  |  Mark of Lewiston 16/02/09   7.   No deal without Shalit 08:02  |  David Scott 16/02/09   8.   Deny Faustian Pact 08:35  |  Baruch Gold 16/02/09   9.   For Mark Klein # 3 09:31  |  Clickfool 16/02/09   10.   What was the point of "Cast Lead"? 10:19  |  Manny Goldstein 16/02/09   11.   the two issues be kept separate? Show Shalit alive!!! 10:45  |  soldier 16/02/09   12.   Gilad Shalit should only get released on the day.... 11:46  |  Swiss (Dino) 16/02/09   13.   Embarrassing? Not after we spin the agreement! 11:49  |  Natallie Durson 16/02/09   14.   No deals with Hamas.they make Shalit free or pay another bill 11:56  |  Daniel 16/02/09   15.   #14 Daniel - Admirable sentiments but history? 12:27  |  Manny Goldstein 16/02/09   16.   Mark of Lewiston thank you for nothing 14:41  |  x-ray 16/02/09   17.   To Swiss (Dino # 12). How `proportionate` of you. 18:19  |  flyingdoc57 16/02/09   18.   No need to release any prisoners for Shalit 19:16  |  Ahmad Omar 16/02/09   19.   Maybe Shalit should also be deported 20:46  |  Welshman 16/02/09

Read & React West Bank settlement gets green light for major expansion Responses: 157 Officials: Israel may authorize terms for Shalit deal Wednesday Responses: 35 Editorial: Israel must end Turkey crisis, not make it worse Responses: 63 Akiva Eldar: What is left of Livni's peace message? Responses: 11 Tel Aviv women fight back against free pornography Responses: 40 More Headlines 08:45 Lieberman and Livni mull non-religious bloc 08:49 ANALYSIS / A rightist coalition will be on collision course with Obama from day one 08:52 'PA strongman Dahlan once called Lieberman key to peace' 09:00 ANALYSIS / Why has Israel backtracked on Shalit deal? 07:52 Officials: Israel may authorize terms for Shalit deal Wednesday 09:15 Mine-clearing teams in Gaza waiting for Israeli okay 07:06 Abbas: Talks will be useless if settlements do not stop 05:57 Vichy government found responsible for deporting Jews in WWII 07:49 Barak tells IDF: Iran nukes are an existential threat to Israel 08:47 Naama the chimp leaves her human home 08:19 Noam Shalit not optimistic about deal for Gilad's release 08:53 Tony Blair honored by Israeli $1 million award 06:30 400 schools across Israel mark Gush Katif Day 08:08 Yad Vashem denounced for plan to honor Nazi who inspired 'The Pianist' 23:28 Report: Caracas synagogue attack was simple robbery, not anti-Semitism Previous Editions Select Day 16 feb 15 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 09 feb 08 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on 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