Meshaal Says No Deal on Captured "Israeli" Soldier

 
Source: Al-Manar TV, 13-02-2009

Hamas politburo Chief Khaled Meshaal said there was no agreement on releasing an "Israeli" soldier captured by Gaza resistance fighters in 2006 as part of an Egyptian-brokered truce.
"Until now, there is no agreement concerning Gilad Shalit. ‘Israel' is trying to mix up the files and link his fate to the opening of the crossings (into Gaza)," Meshaal told Libyan television late Thursday. "We reject this and we have informed the Egyptian authorities."

The Damascus-based Meshaal arrived in Tripoli on to thank Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi for his support during "Israel's" three-week massive war on Gaza, which has killed 1,330 Palestinians, including 420 children and injured around 5300 others.
On Thursday, Meshaal's deputy Moussa Abu Marzouk said that the Islamic resistance group agreed to a long-term truce with "Israel" for the Gaza Strip, the official Egyptian news agency reported.

Abu Marzouk told MENA that Egypt's government, which has been mediating between Hamas and "Israel", would announce the truce, which will last for 18 months, in two days after consulting with other Palestinian factions. "It will be in a short period, God willing... within two days," he was quoted as saying.
Marzouk said a deal for the release of a captured "Israeli" occupation soldier Gilad Shalit held in Gaza would be negotiated later, according to MENA.

Taher Nunu, another member of the Hamas delegation in Egypt, also said the cease-fire would be officially announced within three days. "Most of the obstacles preventing us from consolidating an agreement have already been solved," Nunu said, adding that the agreement would ensure an end to the fighting with "Israel" and the opening of the crossings into Gaza.

Earlier, a senior Egyptian official said "the discussions with Hamas representatives in Cairo were very successful" and an agreement would be signed as early as Thursday night.
Hamas was trying to find out which specific construction and agricultural materials "Israel" plans to bar from entering the Gaza Strip. "Israel" is concerned the raw materials will be used to manufacture weapons and bunkers.

In addition, Hamas is interested in securing a written agreement with "Israel", while "Israel" wants an oral agreement. The delegation "has decided to stay until the Egyptian side gets answers from the "Israelis" about all their questions and demands," he said.
Hamas also wants to establish a mechanism to observe the implementation of an agreement that would be headed by Egypt and include the participation of other countries, the official said. Hamas officials have told the Arab media they want to ensure that "Israel" will keep the crossings open throughout the duration of the truce.

Egypt has been trying to broker a prisoner exchange between "Israel" and Hamas. Hamas is holding Shalit, who was captured more than two years ago.
In occupied 'Jerusalem' (al-Quds), "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said the "Israeli" government had no comment on the report. Earlier in the day, Egyptian and Hamas officials reported progress in truce talks, which included Hamas' strongman from Gaza, Mahmoud Zahar, and Egypt's top mediator, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.

Egyptian diplomats have been working as go-betweens to try to arrange a truce deal between Hamas and "Israel" to solidify a ceasefire that ended "Israel's" devastating 22-day offensive in Gaza last month. Hamas and "Israel" refuse to negotiate directly.

Marzouk told MENA that the Egyptian-brokered deal it agreed to calls for "Israel" to reopen six crossings into the Gaza Strip. Hamas leaders centered its truce demands on a reopening of the tiny coastal territory's crossings, which have been largely sealed by Egypt and "Israel" since 2007.

"Israel", in turn, insisted that any ceasefire must include an end to resistance fighters firing rockets from Gaza into southern occupied territories and a halt to Hamas arms smuggling. It was not clear what effect recent elections in "Israel" would have on any prospective deal over Gaza.
In talking to MENA, Marzouk did not discuss details. But earlier Thursday he told Al-Jazeera television that Egypt had previously agreed to work with "Israel" to forge new arrangements for reopening Gaza's crossing into Egypt.

Besides mediating a truce for Gaza, Egypt also is trying to bring Hamas and its Palestinian rival, President Mahmoud Abbas, whose term ended on January 9, into talks on reconciling and forming a unity government that can move ahead with peace negotiations with "Israel." Egypt hopes to host a reconciliation conference Feb. 22.

Also on Thursday, a Fatah delegation was in Cairo to discuss the proposed truce and Palestinian reconciliation within the framework of the Egyptian cease-fire initiative, Palestinian Authority chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said.

"Talks Held To Finalize Prisoner List"

In a rare interview, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said that negotiations were currently being held with "Israel" in order to agree on a list of Palestinian detainees to release in a deal to secure Shalit's freedom.

Suleiman was quoted by Al-Ahram on Friday as saying that Egypt had rejected an "Israeli" request to banish several of the detainees from the occupied West Bank, with Cairo insisting that they return to their homes in the territory.

The intelligence head went on to tell the Egyptian newspaper that "Israel" was refusing to deliver cement, aluminum and iron to Gaza, all of which could be used for weapons manufacture, until a deal is sealed for Shalit's release.