Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., June 29, 2008 Sivan 26, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:14 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Shin Bet head agrees to free prisoners 'with blood on their hands' By Amos Harel and Yoav Stern Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin has somewhat softened his position regarding the prisoners who could be released in return for Shalit. Diskin is now prepared to release some prisoners "who have the blood of Israelis on their hands," so long as the risk they pose is lessened. The government's coordinator for hostage negotiations, Ofer Dekel, left for Cairo yesterday, where talks have resumed over a deal to secure the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Advertisement Shalit was abducted two years ago in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants, and has since remained in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Sources in the defense establishment expressed satisfaction at the renewed effort to advance the deal, and in particular at the increased Egyptian role in mediating between the parties. The resumption of the talks is part of the agreements Israel and Egypt reached in connection with the cease-fire (tahadiyeh) between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Dekel held meetings in Cairo with Egyptian intelligence officials, headed by Egypt's intelligence chief, General Omar Suleiman. Simultaneously, talks are taking place between Egypt and Hamas. Dekel was supposed to talk to his hosts about the procedural aspects of the talks, while gaining an impression as to areas where Hamas might prove flexible. Israeli officials are encouraged by the Egyptians' attitude toward the mediation, which they found to be more serious and thorough this time around. The intention is to conduct intensive negotiations in the near future, in order to advance a deal. The gaps between the sides are still substantial, primarily because of Hamas' demand that Israel release dozens of its members who are serving multiple life sentences for their roles in suicide bombings that killed and wounded many. The solution being proposed is to transfer such inmates who are from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip or another country. A similar solution was used in the deal involving the wanted militants who holed up in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in 2002. Dekel is in favor of a similar arrangement, as are Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. The London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al Hayat reported yesterday that Egypt has given Israel a list of 1,000 prisoners Hamas wants freed in return for Shalit, but Israel objected to 75 percent of them. According to the paper's sources, the deal in the works is set to include the release of 150 Palestinian inmates in the first stage, in return for Shalit being transferred to Egypt, where his family will be able to visit him. On Shalit's return to Israel, 800 additional prisoners will be released in two stages. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haniyeh's plea Hamas leader in Gaza says rocket fire must stop for sake of Palestinians. Softening position Shin Bet agrees to free prisoners 'with blood on their hands' for Shalit.

Read & React Iran military chief says Israel can't stop nuclear program Responses: 149 Top Hamas official: We'll stop anyone who breaks Gaza truce Responses: 212 Shin Bet agrees to free prisoners 'with blood on their hands' for Shalit Responses: 126 'Dutch Jimmy Carter' accuses Israel of terrorism in new book Responses: 238 Amos Shocken: Citizenship law makes Israel an apartheid state Responses: 196 More Headlines 22:50 Abducted soldier's wife: Sunday's cabinet vote may be last chance 18:20 Iran military chief says Israel can't stop nuclear program 12:31 Palestinians say 17-year-old shot dead by IDF troops in West Bank 18:24 Barack Obama to travel to Europe, Mideast this summer 01:05 Peer shocks Safina to slide into Wimbledon quarterfinals 22:51 German Prof.: Israeli athletes willfully sacrificed themselves in Munich massacre 19:01 Jordan, Canada sign memorandum for civilian nuclear cooperation 13:45 Turkish academic fired for likening Turks in Europe to Jews under Nazis 18:27 UEFA probing claims of Croatian fans' Nazi chants 16:05 Egyptian police kill African man, 7-year-old girl at Israel border 13:41 Iran state media: Man on trial for allegedly spying for Israel 10:13 NYPD arrests 4 black teens for stoning bus full of Jewish toddlers Previous Editions Select Day 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun

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