Hamas not Interested in Starting a Media War with "Israel" over Shalit Deal

Local Editor, 02-01-2010

According to London-based Al Hayat, a senior Hamas official said Hamas will not engage in media battles with "Israel" over the Gilad Shalit deal, adding that Hamas has no interest in opening a "media front" with "Israel", and that it will change some tactics regarding the prisoner exchange avoiding any contention with the "Israeli" media.

The Hamas official also stated that the negotiations of prisoner exchange are in the final stage.
Hamas officials in Syria completed consultations in Damascus, which resulted in a decision of not rejecting the enemy's offer of exchange, but go on with the German-mediated negotiations.

Over the past week, there have been disagreements about some prisoners Hamas wants to be freed, yet some of those who will be freed will be deported outside the Palestinian territories. In this context, "Israel" still refuses to release 22 Palestinians, including Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Ibrahim Hamad, and Abdullah Barghouti, those of who are considered to be the "heavyweight" Palestinian prisoners.