Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., June 30, 2008 Sivan 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:21 (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

Last update - 10:12 29/06/2008 Report: Hamas rejects Israeli bid to free 450 prisoners for Shalit By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Gilad Shalit, Israel, Hamas  Hamas has rejected Israel's offer to free 450 Palestinian militants in exchange for abducted Israel Defense Forces soldiers Gilad Shalit, according to a report published Sunday in Al-Hayat According to the report, Israel negotiator Ofer Dekel presented a list comprising 450 names of Palestinian prisoners Israel is prepared to release. Hamas had requested 1,000 prisoners be freed. A senior Hamas official said any deal with Israel must include the release of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, who is currently serving five life terms in an Israeli jail, and Ahmad Sadat, of the PFLP. Advertisement "Shalit had begun his third year in jail and as far as we're concerned, he can begin a fourth year there," said the official. Shalit was kidnapped by Gaza militants in a June 2006 cross-border raid. The defense establishment believes there has been some progress in the Egyptian-mediated negotiations for the soldier's release since the cease-fire with Hamas went into effect 10 days ago. Dekel, the Israeli official charged with negotiating for all of Israel's abducted soldiers, is trying to establish binding procedures for the negotiations with Hamas, and gain the Islamist group's commitment to talks regardless of developments in the security situation along the border with the Gaza Strip. Dekel returned from a trip to Egypt early Friday morning, following a series of meetings with Egyptian intelligence officials. In Cairo, the negotiator met with the Egyptian intelligence chief, General Omar Suleiman, who has led the Egyptian push for indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas. In parallel with the meetings with Dekel, the Egyptians held talks with Hamas representatives. According to defense sources in Israel, Egypt is much more commited to gaining the release of Shalit than it was before. "Cairo's prestige is now at stake - and this is palpable. They are exhibiting a newfound commitment to progressing in the negotiations," the source said. Dekel proposed that Egypt put forth a "binding mechanism" in which the two sides continue negotiating even if fighting breaks out between Israel and Hamas. He also asked to establish Hamas as the sole negotiating party on behalf of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Even though Shalit was abducted in a raid carried out by Hamas and two smaller groups, Israel says Hamas is now the sole decision-maker regarding the kidnapped soldier. Israel would also like to fix the timeframe for the negotiations, and set a target date for completing the talks. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Wimbledon shocker Shahar Peer knocks out 9th-seed Safina to slide into the fourth round. Time to hit Iran Israel must destroy Iran's nuclear program within one year or risk being attacked.   1.   Israel should introduce the death penalty 10:39  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/06/08   2.   The pressure is on Israel to make a deal 10:56  |  Natallie Durson 29/06/08   3.   450 released Palestinians is far too low 10:58  |  Clickfool 29/06/08   4.   So how many Palestinians are worth one Israeli? 11:15  |  ScotGuy 29/06/08   5.   The pals are nothing less than evil & immoral 11:38  |  Adrian de Klerk 29/06/08   6.   Unlimited surrender? 12:31  |  Ilan 29/06/08   7.   One Israeli worth 5 million Pals 12:46  |  DR D 29/06/08   8.   Palestinian terrorist filth for Shalit. 13:18  |  David Nigel Braham 29/06/08   9.   A soldier for 450 prisoners? 13:34  |  Ulf 29/06/08   10.   Good for Hamas 13:48  |  JordanisPalestine 29/06/08   11.   Hamas can`t deliver 13:52  |  Brod 29/06/08   12.   Free a million prisoners 13:58  |  Janice 29/06/08   13.   Prisoners for shalit 14:00  |  Janice 29/06/08   14.   Sadat and Barghouthi? No way! 14:33  |  Conroy 29/06/08   15.   Hamas tells us how much an Arab is worth 15:01  |  x-ray 29/06/08   16.   Do the Arabs of Gaza prefer terrorism? 15:16  |  Jean Van Daem 29/06/08   17.   Gazan pesimism... 15:36  |  Ulf 29/06/08   18.   Re#15 16:10  |  Future 29/06/08   19.   Counter productive 16:15  |  Marcos 29/06/08   20.   1,000 for One 16:36  |  Michael 29/06/08   21.   1 Jew = 1000 Palestinians That`s Hamas value, not mine 16:48  |  Dan 29/06/08   22.   450 not enough 16:59  |  Yoni 29/06/08   23.   Shalit for Marwan Barghout, nothing more 17:36  |  dovale 29/06/08   24.   16 Jean Van Deam - 65% of 30%? 17:45  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/06/08   25.   Corrupt leadership killing us & endangering our soldiers 18:33  |  Arie 29/06/08   26.   RELEASE THEM ALL OR NO DEAL AT ALL 19:11  |  indrajaya 29/06/08   27.   Beg Hamas for Mercy 19:27  |  Nick 29/06/08   28.   Ariel has the right idea 19:43  |  Nick 29/06/08   29.   Hostage exchange 20:03  |  Nick 29/06/08   30.   Hamas does this because it works 20:08  |  dave duncan 29/06/08   31.   Israes should reject any agreement without Shalit 20:26  |  Fair and Just 29/06/08   32.   to quote hamas "arabs are nothing but garbage"! 20:29  |  Avram 29/06/08   33.   Marwan Barghouthi and Ahmad Sada 20:32  |  Nick 29/06/08   34.   Pest control Tips: 20:50  |  Nick 29/06/08   35.   I would release him... 20:54  |  Paul 29/06/08   36.   Release them all 21:14  |  Nick 29/06/08   37.   #26 And ship them all to Jakarta 21:17  |  DesMnsDave 29/06/08   38.   $ha$ olmert and hama$$ 22:39  |  Arie 29/06/08   39.   Israel will never release Barghouti 00:05  |  KYOT 30/06/08   40.   Dangerous fugitives 01:20  |  Victor 30/06/08   41.   #26 should know about the jails in jakarta,2 million prisonners 04:01  |  hal tripp 30/06/08   42.   Kidnap Hamas leaders and negotiate for Shalit 04:22  |  AlexK 30/06/08   43.   THEY REJECT THE BID BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE NO LIVELY STONE 05:34  |  glenna 30/06/08

Read & React Editorial: Darfur is Israel's problem, too Responses: 9 Bar-On: If we cede Kuntar, Barghouti will be next Responses: 18 Iran court sentences man to death for spying for Israel Responses: 37 Festive welcome awaits prisoners in Lebanese towns Responses: 11 Hamas worried about rise in support for religious sects Responses: 12 TV: IDF targets West Bank charities in bid to curb Hamas Send response Rosner's Domain When Sheldon Adelson met Bush (WTR) Poll: Hezbollah swap - good or bad? Can Israel legally strike Iran with nukes? Is Time's Joe Klein being honest when he criticizes Joe Lieberman? "The war in Iraq was inevitable" (WTR) More Headlines 11:08 Iran hands down death sentence to 'Israeli spy' 11:08 Hezbollah has told Israel that Ron Arad is dead 10:26 Bar-On: If we cede Kuntar, Barghouti will be next 10:42 Hamas arrests Fatah Al-Aqsa spokesman after Qassam claim 11:00 Livni, Mofaz jockey for support ahead of primaries in Kadima 11:13 Robot hospital: Where IDF treats droids wounded in the line of fire 00:26 First rabbis ordained in Poland since the Holocaust 09:25 More tourists viewing Haifa as a destination 04:14 Festive welcome awaits prisoners in Lebanese towns 04:32 Hamas worried about rise in support for religious sects 05:15 Ex-Barak aide says has incriminating evidence on campaign donations 05:47 Court: 'Jenin, Jenin' untruthful, but does not slander soldiers Previous Editions Select Day 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun

Special Offers Advertisement SAVE TALIA! and hundreds of cancer patients around the world Holyland Park Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury In the heart of Tel-Aviv The Meier on Rothschild tower Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home