Ofer Dekel, the Olmert administration’s chief negotiator for winning the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, is scheduled to remain in Egypt on Thursday. Egyptian sources reported progress in the Cairo-mediated talks between Israel and Hamas, which is demanding that Israel free hundreds of murderers and other terrorists.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he is anxious to bring about Shalit’s release before he leaves office. Shalit’s family has been conducting an intense campaign, backed by several media outlets such as the Hebrew daily Yediot Acharonot, to complete the negotiations Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu takes office.