Israeli officials: Hamas has until Likud takes over to cut Shalit deal

Ofer Dekel, Israel's negotiator for prisoner exchanges, is set to land in Cairo soon to meet with Egyptian general Omar Suleiman. The two will discuss a deal to release abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

"This opportunity must not be missed, despite the painful price," officials at the Prime Minister's Office said Tuesday. Israel is expected to release hundreds of convicted terrorists in return for Shalit, who has been held by Hamas in Gaza since 2006.

The Israeli officials called on Hamas to renegotiate over the prisoners it is demanding Israel release.

"The number of people to be released is well-known, but now we have to agree on which prisoners," an official said.

The officials warned Tuesday that it would be more difficult to reach an agreement with the next government, which will most likely be formed by the right-wing Likud, that includes opening the Gaza Strip borders, which have been sealed since Hamas took control by force in 2007.

"Hamas must understand it has until mid-March to cut a deal," one said.

Meanwhile, Noam Shalit, the father of the abducted soldier, met with a senior army official Tuesday to discuss the recent dismissal of Amos Gilad, the Defense Ministry's chief negotiator over a truce in Gaza. The details of the meeting were not revealed.

The Shalit family is closely following reports regarding a potential prisoner swap, and said it did not expect Gilad's dismissal to delay an agreement for the kidnapped soldier.

"We have been and remain hopeful," Shimshon Liebman, a member of the organization lobbying for Shalit's return, said.

PA frees prisoners

Meanwhile, Fatah released Hamas members from Palestinian Authority prisons in the West Bank Tuesday, in a gesture of goodwill toward the rival faction. Talks between the two groups are set to renew in Cairo Thursday, with preliminary meetings taking place today.

Eight Hamas members - three in Tul Karm and five in Nablus - were freed, and more are expected to be released Wednesday.

One Palestinian parliament member from Fatah said the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority is planning to free a total of 80 Hamas members.

Hamas' delegation to Cairo will be led by Damascus-based politburo deputy chief Mousa Abu Marzook as well as Hamas members from the Gaza Strip. Fatah's delegation will be led by Ahmed Qureia, Nabil Shaath and Azzam al-Ahmad. Samir al-Masharawi, a member of Fatah forced into exile from Gaza when Hamas took control of the coastal territory, will also take part in the talks.

Representatives are expected to discuss forming a unity government whose members have no political affiliation, which would receive the support of the Obama administration; lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip; and holding new general elections for the Palestinian parliament.

Observers believe it is very likely the two factions can reconcile. Hamas is said to be in favor so that border crossings into Gaza will be reopened; Fatah, for its part, is worried about Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' declining approval ratings.

The recent election success of Israel's right wing also has pushed Fatah decision makers to try to settle their differences with Hamas.

Still, Palestinian officials told Haaretz Tuesday that they were pessimistic about the chances of any agreement between the factions being put into practice.

Speaking in Oslo, Abbas called on the international community to recognize a Fatah-Hamas unity government in order to enable the rehabilitation of Gaza following Operation Cast Lead. He said he hoped the Cairo talks would result in all the factions recognizing prior agreements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.