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Marwan Barghouti. (Archive) Last update - 16:16 08/01/2008 Report: Israel agrees to release Barghouti in exchange for Shalit By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service Tags: Samir Kuntar, Gilad Shalit  Israel has agreed to free jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti in exchange for the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, the Palestinian newspaper Al-Hayat quoted an Egyptian officials as saying on Tuesday. The report says that Israel has become more flexible of late and is now interested in completing the deal that would involve the release of other Palestinian prisoners as soon as possible. However, Israel has refused to release Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar who murdered the Haran family in Nahariya in 1979. Advertisement The official said that it was agreed that in the first stage of the agreement, Israel would release 100 Palestinian prisoners. In return, Gilad Shalit would be handed over to Egypt. A week later another 150 prisoners would be released and Shalit would be returned to Israel. According to the report, a senior Hamas official is expected in the near future to arrive in Egypt to advance the negotiations. The Hamas official in charge of the Shalit negotiations, however, said that no progress has been made on a prisoners deal. Dichter comes out against releasing Barghouti Public Security Minister Avi Dichter told the cabinet on Sunday that he is opposed to releasing Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for the murders of four Israelis and a Greek month. "Barghouti falls under the criterion of killer with thick blood on his hands, and he is to remain in prison to his last day on Earth," Dichter said during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Dichter was responding to a recent statement by his colleagues, Infrastructures Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer and Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, who argued for Barghouti's release in the framework of peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. Dichter went on to deny that Ofer Dekel, who is in charge of retrieving captive soldiers at the Prime Minister's Office, went to visit Barghouti at Hadarim Prison, where the former Fatah head is serving his sentence. But Ben-Eliezer says that Barghouti is not being released because of internal Palestinian political considerations. In an interview for Army Radio, Ben Eliezer said Sunday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is delaying Barghouti's release because Abbas fears Barghouti might become a powerful rival if he is set free. "If Barghouti's release comes up during peace talks, I will be the first to vote in favor. I'm fighting for his release so that we will have someone who is able to discuss a permanent agreement with us," Ben-Eliezer said. Related articles: Aides: Abbas to ask Israel to free Barghouti in order to aid Fatah Report: Prisoner swap deal for Shalit to be set in next 2 weeks J'lem officials: Kuntar won't be freed without info on Ron Arad Bookmark to del.icio.us   Lost giant Endangered sea turtle washes up on Gaza's shore and is eaten. Not worried Nearly half of Israeli Arabs say let Iran develop nukes.   1.   Who agreed with who? 11:53  |  Middlestanian 08/01/08   2.   This will not happen 12:46  |  Clickfool 08/01/08   3.   RELEASE 3-4000 TERRORISTS, LITTLE 13:38  |  Robert 08/01/08   4.   #2 clickpotz 14:10  |  danny 08/01/08   5.   # 2 Clickfool 14:14  |  Natallie Durson 08/01/08   6.   Hamas will not fall for israel`s trickery! release all the 14:42  |  lakshmi 08/01/08   7.   Ben Eliezer is as Stupid and Idiot as the Left is 15:20  |  Joseph E . 08/01/08   8.   Don`t get too excited Natalie 15:22  |  efman 08/01/08   9.   Gilad Shalit is not an imprisoned criminal 15:24  |  Umm Danny 08/01/08   10.   Notice How Eilezer is Placing Political Consideration above the 15:25  |  Joseph E . 08/01/08   11.   # 5 With trepidation, I say, not bad. "Dude"! 15:44  |  Stephen. 08/01/08   12.   Barguti 19:14  |  grandstboy 08/01/08   13.   Israel - Losing the Respect of Zionists 20:02  |  Tod Zuckerman 08/01/08   14.   Unbelievable 01:02  |  Elan 09/01/08   15.   #6 lakshmi 08:58  |  Mae White 09/01/08   16.   Pollard better be included in the deal 08:28  |  BradL 12/01/08   17.   Pals prove kipnapping is profitable. 17:37  |  petra 05/04/08

Today Online Israel and U.S. to coordinate on boycott of anti-racism meet Responses: 256 Former militant leader: The Palestinian people is finished Responses: 257 Hamas: Gaza sniper aimed for Public Security Min. Dichter Responses: 104 Syria: We choose peace, but we're ready for Israeli attack Responses: 73 Rosner's Domain Government trying to block witness in AIPAC trial (WTR) Rabbi Yoffie vs. Pastor Hagee What is worth fighting for? Intermarriage pushes the question: what does it mean to be Jewish? Israel Factor: McCain-Barak, the dream team More Headlines 17:47 Min. Ayalon warns tensions with Syria 'could lead to mistakes' 17:29 Min. Ben-Eliezer: Negotiations with PA are not actual 14:07 Egypt hunts men suspected of plotting terror attack in Sinai 13:40 Lebanon raises military alert fearing imminent IDF attack 15:04 Hamas: Rocket attacks not aimed at Israeli women, children 10:00 12 Palestinian prisoners wanted by Israel break out of Nablus jail 10:15 Rabbi: Jews, more than anyone, helped black Americans achieve equality 17:59 Palestinians: Gazan militant killed near border with Israel 15:32 Plane makes emergency landing in Ben-Gurion Airport 12:27 Obama, Clinton, McCain to co-chair Israel 60th anniversary panel 14:17 Israeli citizen killed in Angola, apparently during robbery 22:58 T-shirt mogul apologizes to Woody Allen for image of him as Hasid Previous Editions Select Day 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar

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