Friday 18 December 2009

“Israel to Notify Egypt on Shalit Deal Decision within 2 Days”



18/12/2009 By Sunday Israel will notify Egypt of its decision regarding the release of 50 "heavy" detainees that Hamas is unwilling to forego in exchange for captured Israeli occupation soldier Gilad Shalit, sources close to the prisoner swap negotiations were quoted by London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi.

According to the report, published Friday, Israel has opposed the release of these detainees thus far. The sources said that Israel's decision will determine whether the swap deal will succeed or fail.

The sources said the "heavy" detainees issue is the last remaining obstacle to a prisoner exchange. They added that former Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti will not be included in any prisoner exchange, despite his declaration that he will be.

On Thursday the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported that Israel is refusing to release senior leaders of the Hamas movement currently imprisoned in the Zionist entity for security reasons.

Palestinian sources known to be reliable and close to the negotiations for brokering a prisoner swap deal for the release of Shalit told the newspaper, "The Hamas movement is inclined to agree to a deal in which Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit."

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