Kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit has become Hamas's "last winning card" that the terrorist party is holding during Egyptian-mediated talks that so far have failed, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua. Sources said that Israel has agreed to free 71 of 450 terrorists that Hamas demands be freed in the first stage of releases in return for the soldier.
"The Egyptian mediators are sure that Hamas blocks the swap because Shalit is the only winning card Hamas can use to put pressure on Israel to allow the opening or Rafiah crossing," sources told Xinhua. Israel has said that the current ceasefire agreement calls for the Rafiah border to be opened only after Shalit is freed.