Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) director Yuval Diskin and the Prime Minister's special envoy, Ofer Dekel returned to Israel on Monday evening and updated Prime Minister Olmert on the results of the marathon Egyptian-brokered talks over a deal for the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit.
According to the report, it has become clear that Hamas has hardened its position, reneged on understandings that were formulated over the past year and raised other extreme demands despite the generous proposals that had been advanced by Israel in this round.
Hamas spokesmen said that Israel had agreed to release all the terrorist prisoners on its list. However, the sides have not yet reached a full agreement, they said. Government sources said Israel had agreed to release most of the terrorists whose freedom has been demanded by Hamas, but did not confirm that negotiators had agreed to release all of the 450 prisoners on the list.
Hamas denied having toughened its stance on the prisoners it wants released in exchange for abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, according to the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat. The newspaper said that Hamas's insistance on the release of its list of 450 prisoners was responsible for the breakup of the negotiations. Egyptian sources said the Israeli negotiators decided that acceptance of the terms was a political policy decision that was not in their mandate.
Another sticking point was Israel's insistence that terrorists who have been directly involved in murder of Israelis be released to Gaza or an Arab country, and not allowed to return to Judea and Samaria. Hamas has rejected the condition, and insists that terrorists will leave Judea and Samaria only if they consent to do so.
Prime Minister Olmert has summoned a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday afternoon, during which ministers will be briefed on the proposed deal advanced by Hamas.
With the return of Diskin and Dekel from the Cairo talks, government ministers are nevertheless trying to remain optimistic. “Gilad Shalit must return,” Minister of Environmental Protection Gideon Ezra stated Monday. “We’ll hear details in the Cabinet meeting, and we’ll be able to state our position.”
Minister of Science, Culture, and Sport Raleb Majadele (Labor) expressed hope that an agreement would take place. Majadele stated that he would accept any agreement reached. “I think that any deal such as this could strengthen confidence between the two nations. The release of prisoners can only strengthen optimism to reach an understanding between the two nations. Furthermore, we want to free Gilad Shalit, which is conditional on the release of prisoners.” According to Majadele, “A military operation to free Gilad Shalit is a fantasy. Even Noam Shalit said today that we used all kinds of threats, but this didn’t help.”
In contrast, Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Eli Yishai (Shas) stated, “As long as Gilad Shalit isn’t home, the implication is that the Israeli government did not do enough. Its obligation is to do everything in order to return Gilad home.”
Activists from the Struggle for the Release of Gilad Shalit expressed their disappointment Monday night from the announcement made by the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the obstacles in the negotiations for his release.
“We’re in the fog. However, our messages didn’t change and our positions won’t change. This government must bring the release of Gilad,” stated the grassroots group’s chair, Chezi Meshita. “We were prepared for much better good news. However, we still have hope that it’s a media spin, which is part of the negotiations.”
Shortly after the announcement made by the Prime Minister’s Office, the group decided to demonstrate on Tuesday opposite the Prime Minister’s Office during the Cabinet meeting. “We still believe that this is the last chance before Gilad is sentenced to death,” Meshita added.