Hamas to Egypt: Free Detainee or We Halt Shalit Talks
Source: Al-Manar TV, 18-10-2008
Hamas could halt talks on the release of ‘Israeli' occupation soldier Gilad Shalit if Egypt refuses to free from jail one of the Palestinian group's leaders, a Hamas official said Friday.
Shalit has been held captive in Gaza for more than two years, and the talks for his release have been mediated by ‘Israel' In the past few months, without any results.
Talks have been underway between Israel and Hamas, under Egyptian mediation, to free hundreds of Palestinian detainees in exchange for Shalit's release. Hamas wants Egypt to release Ayman Nofal, a senior military operative arrested in Egypt on suspicion he was planning to attack targets there.
But Hamas leader Youssef Farhat told a rally of hundreds of Hamas supporters on Friday that Egypt could not play a mediation role as long as it held him. "We have put the file of Shalit in the fridge and it will remain frozen unless Ayman Nofal is freed," Farhat said.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the comments reflected frustration within Hamas over the situation. "Nofal's continued detention is annoying and it has topped the agenda of all talks with Egyptian officials. We hope Egypt can end it by freeing him," Abu Zuhri said.
Hamas could halt talks on the release of ‘Israeli' occupation soldier Gilad Shalit if Egypt refuses to free from jail one of the Palestinian group's leaders, a Hamas official said Friday.
Shalit has been held captive in Gaza for more than two years, and the talks for his release have been mediated by ‘Israel' In the past few months, without any results.
Talks have been underway between Israel and Hamas, under Egyptian mediation, to free hundreds of Palestinian detainees in exchange for Shalit's release. Hamas wants Egypt to release Ayman Nofal, a senior military operative arrested in Egypt on suspicion he was planning to attack targets there.
But Hamas leader Youssef Farhat told a rally of hundreds of Hamas supporters on Friday that Egypt could not play a mediation role as long as it held him. "We have put the file of Shalit in the fridge and it will remain frozen unless Ayman Nofal is freed," Farhat said.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the comments reflected frustration within Hamas over the situation. "Nofal's continued detention is annoying and it has topped the agenda of all talks with Egyptian officials. We hope Egypt can end it by freeing him," Abu Zuhri said.
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