Meshal: Shalit deal hindered by Israel's 'obstinacy'
Hamas political leader: Netanyahu's ultra-extremist policies on settlements blocking resolution of conflict.
By DPA Tags: Gilad Shalit Hamas Gaza Khaled MeshalThe deal to exchange hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for captured Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit is facing obstacles caused by "Israeli obstinacy," Khaled Meshal, the political leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, said on Tuesday.
Shalit was captured by Gaza militants in a cross-border raid in June 2006 and has been held in captivity for over three years. Hamas, the rulers of the Gaza Strip, have demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails in exchange for the soldier's freedom.
"This topic is still under negotiation, and there are obstacles due to Israeli obstinacy," the Damascus-based leader told a news conference after a meeting with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh during a two-day visit to Sana'a.
"Hamas is holding on to its demands for the release of our prisoners and setting the leadership and major figures free," Meshal said.
Mehal said the "ultra-extremist policies" adopted by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the West Bank settlements have been "blocking horizons of resolution" in the conflict.
He also criticized "weakness" the United States and the international community in not putting greater pressure on Israel.
Israel and Hamas have held indirect talks, mediated by Egypt and Germany, to reach a prisoner swap deal.
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Hope you come home soon.
its citizens. Of course, all this will be swallowed hook, line and sinker by the Arab street.
The deal is about exchange of of prisoners. Why does Hamas bring up another set of terms. Settlers and settlements were never to be part of the deal. If anyone is being obstinate , it is Hamas.
Somebody should tell Meshal that obstinacy is a national characteristic of his zionist friends. In 60 odd years it has become entrenched so it will take a lot of effort to make them become humble. They have never been humble.
...Hamas takes this as a signal to raise the bar. And the situation goes back to step 1. Given the opportunity, as Arafat demonstrated with Clinton, Fatah ends up doing the same thing which is why concessions are wasted from the Israeli side if they come too early or are made unilaterally. "But what have you done for me lately," is the motto of the opposing team here.