Egypt is pushing for a breakthrough in negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a prisoner exchange for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Egyptian officials told the Arabic-language daily Al-Hayat that no progress was made Tuesday in talks between Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and Ofer Dekel, Israel's envoy to the talks, but added that they felt Israel was "interested" in moving the negotiations forward. They also said Israeli officials have made clear that they would not pay "too high" a price for the release of Shalit.
Israel has offered to release 450 Arab terrorists in exchange for Shalit, but has so far refused to release 71 prisoners with blood on their hands. Security officials believe the individuals in question will return to terror activities if released.
The Egyptian official also called on Hamas to "follow the path of Hizbullah" in order to push negotiations with Israel forward, and called on the terror group to hold more indirect talks with Israel.
"How can we make any progress without holding indirect negotiations between the sides, especially when each side is staunchly committed to its position," said the source. The source also said Hamas should capitalize on the Egyptian involvement in the talks to gain the "desired results" out of the negotiations.