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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Israeli officials deny knowledge of Gaza deal |
| 2009-06-28 |
| [Beirut Daily Star: Region] Israeli officials played down reports on Friday that a deal was close with Hamas that would include the release of an Israeli soldier held captive in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Israeli and Palestinian political sources and Western diplomats confirmed, however, that Egyptian mediators were still working on a package of measures that could combine exchanges of prisoners, ceasefire agreements, an easing of Israel's blockade on Gaza and rapprochement between rival Palestinian factions. A July 7 deadline set by Egypt for Islamist Hamas and the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to ease a schism that has divided Gaza from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as well as this week's third anniversary of Hamas' capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, has fueled speculation of a deal. Responding to Israeli press reports citing European diplomats that Shalit was about to be sent to Egypt, Israeli officials and European diplomats in the region said on Friday they knew of no new concrete developments in negotiations. Hamas officials have also played down earlier reports. Nonetheless, diplomats said negotiations were in train. The family of Shalit, who also has French citizenship, has stepped up pressure on new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal. The government has long balked at Hamas' price for Shalit's release, notably the freeing of leading Hamas fighters responsible for attacks on Israelis. |
| Posted by:Fred |