Amos Gilad, responsible for negotiations with Hamas via Egyptian mediators, is furious over media reports that he has acted independently and has caused outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to accept unwanted conditions to free the soldier.
The Hebrew-language daily Ma'ariv reported Wednesday morning that Gilad, head of the political-security bureau of the Defense Ministry, accused Olmert of ignoring the return of Shalit until recently.
The Prime Minister several days ago declared that he would not agree to a ceasefire until after a deal is struck with Hamas for the return of Shalit. Egypt previously had understood that the order was the opposite, with a truce followed by freeing the soldier.
"Until now, the Prime Minister has not dealt with this issue at all," he told the newspaper, "Suddenly, they have turned the agenda upside down. Suddenly, first we have to receive Gilad. I don't understand. Where is this leading us--to insult Egypt? To cause them to reject any number [of terrorists we release]?"
Gilad labeled as "lies" allegations that he is acting on his own. "Every word is in writing, and I never met [in Egypt] without an Arabic translator and an aide to go over material. I update [Defense Minister Ehud] Barak and Olmert before every trip and after my return, usually the same night."
Prime Minister Olmert has stated several times over the past two and a half years that bringing Shalit back home is the most important issue on his agenda.
Gilad also revealed he primarily has been dealing with the issue of a ceasefire and that Ofer Dekel has been negotiating on which terrorists may be freed in exchange for Shalit. However, Gilad added that Dekel has not been in Cairo for "a long time" and is on a private tour in an undefined location.