Hamas arrives in Egypt for Shalit talks, as Israel warns deal 'not close'
PM says Israel still 'not close' to closing deal with Hamas for release of abducted IDF soldier.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Gilad Shalit Israel newsThree officials from the Palestinian group Hamas crossed into Egypt from Gaza on Sunday to discuss Israel's response to a proposed prisoner swap, a delegation official said.
Hours earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that Israel was still a long way off from the deal, which would secure the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit after more than three years in Palestinian captivity.
The Hamas representatives are expected to meet Egyptian security officials during their trip. They will later visit Syria for further discussions with Hamas leaders there.
Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he would head to Egypt on Tuesday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak on matter related to the Middle East peace process.
"I believe we have an interest in moving the peace process forward in a variety of ways," Netanyahu, announcing the visit, told reporters at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.
The premier said he had requested the meeting with Mubarak after talks that Egypt's intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, held in Israel last week. "I intend to continue this important dialogue," he said.
With regard to the Shalit talks, Netanyahu said: "I won't expand on the details of this matter so as not to harm the negotiations, but if a deal does come to fruition, I will bring it to the government for a debate and approval; however, at this stage we are not close to a deal."
The premier noted that one of the militants whom the Israel Defense Forces killed in Nablus on Saturday had been recently released from an Israeli jail. He stressed that this highlighted the "cardinal" considerations involved in releasing terrorists to live the West Bank.
Under the terms of a proposed deal for Shalit's release, Israel would reportedly free hundreds of convicted Palestinian terrorists.
Netanyahu said he was trying to balance the Jewish principle of "liberating hostages" and the desire to make every effort to free Shalit, with the necessity of protecting Israeli citizens.
On Friday, a member of Hamas' political bureau in Damascus said that Hamas would give its response to a proposed exchange deal for Shalit within three days, Israel Radio reported.
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Again, the Israeli public has been manipulated by the Govt's decision to kill rather than arrest the Nablus Palestinians. Now, as he desperately desires, Netanyahoo can avoid the Shalit decision by pointing to the consequences of releasing Palestinian prisoners.
The objective fact is that neither side wants an agreement right now. Hamas' demands are excessive by any measure and will not be accommodated. Bibi's government holds together b/c of extential threats from Hamas, Iran and others. At the same time, Hamas has credibility with its supporters b/c of its outrageous demands. All of this amounts to there not being a way to free either the kidnapped soldier or many of the Israeli prisoners who have already served long prison terms by now are no longer a threat. I pity the families involved.
Coincidence that released prisoners were assassinated when a prisoner swap was in the works?.....Propagandists with guns don't make much room for negotiation or peace.....Shalit an unfortunate pawn and Bibi gets to look tough and get two birds with one stone....what a joke....PEACE EVER?
It's not about numbers. It's the principal. Israel's ability and arrogance to arrest members of a population it controls as it pleases is the main point here. So of course the palestininas will ask for as many people as they can for an exchange with an IDF soldier.
"Just today, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, UN secretary, managed to talk about Gaza without mentioning Gilad Schalit name. How is that possible? Because he also didnt mention the thousands of pals kidnaped and held by the IDF with out trial. Simple.
Netanyahu's Egypt trip is reminiscent of Livni's of a year ago to fill-in the Egyptians of what was about to happen to Gaza. With yesterday's 3 assassinations of Hamas people in Gaza, another 3 of Fateh on the WB and the planted bomb in Beirut that killed 3 other Hamas men that were dismantling it, one has to conclude that Israel does not want any swapping to happen for Shalit and is trying to light a fire under the Palestinians to kill any prospects of success in the talks. It's sad but Shalit's negotiations are heading in the same direction that Arad's took and the story will probably end the same sad way.
Israel should be calling for the release of Schalit every time any official is spoken to, instead of talking to the walls. Just today, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, UN secretary, managed to talk about Gaza without mentioning Gilad Schalit name. How is that possible?
How many Israeli deaths by released convicted murderers will the Israeli Government endure before the people vent their anger and resentment at their release. Even if they are exiled to Mongolia they will return and their hatred of Zionism is so great they will relish killing again. It's not worth it, besides, one Israeli life is equal to one Palestinian life. It makes no sense, not even symbolically.
the arabs were the experts on arithmetic. how does one equal 900?!!! stop the madness. i feel very sorry for shalit, but we have others in the future to consider