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25/11/2009 17:35:21
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Hamas holds meeting to discuss swap deal
Damascus-based Hamas leadership convened on Wednesday morning a meeting to discuss the German mediator's offer regarding prisoner swap deal with Israel.
Sources closed to Hamas told SNS that Hamas leaders including member of Hamas Politburo Mahmod al-Zahar who arrived in Damascus on Tuesday evening are studying the offer which excludes release of long prison terms
Members of the Hamas delegation from the Gaza Strip traveled to Damascus Tuesday night, after concluding talks with the German mediator in Cairo.
The mediator, whose identity remains classified, is the one dictating the timetable for both sides. If there are no unforeseen obstacles there is a feeling that the deal will be ready for implementation in a few days.
And in a sign that the negotiations were moving forward, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyyeh canceled a trip to Saudi Arabia for the annual Muslim pilgrimage at the last minute on Tuesday, al-Manar reported.
An Egyptian source told Fox News on Wednesday that a final decision on the swap deal does not rest solely on Hamas, but rather it is Israel that must decide whether to green light several of the names on Hamas' list and make the exchange happen.
In Damascus on Tuesday, Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal said Israel still had reservations over releasing some prisoners who had "long prison terms." "If Israel reacts with flexibility it will end soon, or it will be postponed indefinitely," he said. "During the next few days the picture will become clear."
According to al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, the deal is being delayed over four names, led by Ibrahim Hamed, who was arrested in 2006 for his involvement in deadly attacks. Israel, according to some of the reports, is only willing to release him if he is deported outside the Palestinian territories.
And in a sign that the negotiations were moving forward, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyyeh canceled a trip to Saudi Arabia for the annual Muslim pilgrimage at the last minute on Tuesday, al-Manar reported.
An Egyptian source told Fox News on Wednesday that a final decision on the swap deal does not rest solely on Hamas, but rather it is Israel that must decide whether to green light several of the names on Hamas' list and make the exchange happen.
In Damascus on Tuesday, Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal said Israel still had reservations over releasing some prisoners who had "long prison terms." "If Israel reacts with flexibility it will end soon, or it will be postponed indefinitely," he said. "During the next few days the picture will become clear."
According to al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, the deal is being delayed over four names, led by Ibrahim Hamed, who was arrested in 2006 for his involvement in deadly attacks. Israel, according to some of the reports, is only willing to release him if he is deported outside the Palestinian territories.
The three other detainees delaying the deal, according to the report, are Abdullah Barghouti, Abbas al-Seid, and Ahmed Saadat.
Moreover, it is still unclear whether former Fatah Secretary-General in the West Bank Marwan Barghouti, who is serving several life terms for murder, will be freed as part of the deal.
One of Hamas' senior members, Dr. Khalil Al-Hayya, said Tuesday night that his movement continued to hold on to its demands in terms of the swap deal. He warned that Israeli stubbornness in the face of Hamas' stipulations could torpedo the swap.
"It appears that internal Israeli problems are having a negative influence, but we are waiting for the coming hours to see if there will be a deal by the weekend," said another source.
Meanwhile, Israel is waiting for Hamas' response and attempting to lower expectations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Tuesday that if and when a deal is finalized, it would be brought to the government's approval "and to a public discourse."
Israeli ministers are expected to hold on wednesday for a pre-scheduled diplomatic-security cabinet meeting, where they may learn more about the deal's outline and timetable.
Even though Netanyahu reiterated the need to keep quiet, the Israeli leadership continues to issue statements on the matter. In addition to his own statement on the absence of a finalized agreement, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told new conscripts at the Israeli army induction center that with regard to Shalit, "It is a matter that affects every one of you - we all have supreme responsibility to bring him home using all appropriate and possible means."
Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said the following: "Israeli army commanders, those who sent Gilad to his mission, are committed to do everything possible to bring him home."
And Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Israeli minister of industry, trade and labor, who Tuesday morning, during his visit in Turkey, said unequivocally: "We are closer than ever to a deal."
Meanwhile, the PA leadership is worried that a prisoner exchange accord would bolster Hamas¹s standing among Palestinians.
In October, Israel freed about 20 Palestinian women prisoners in exchange for a video showing Shalit in captivity.
Moreover, it is still unclear whether former Fatah Secretary-General in the West Bank Marwan Barghouti, who is serving several life terms for murder, will be freed as part of the deal.
One of Hamas' senior members, Dr. Khalil Al-Hayya, said Tuesday night that his movement continued to hold on to its demands in terms of the swap deal. He warned that Israeli stubbornness in the face of Hamas' stipulations could torpedo the swap.
"It appears that internal Israeli problems are having a negative influence, but we are waiting for the coming hours to see if there will be a deal by the weekend," said another source.
Meanwhile, Israel is waiting for Hamas' response and attempting to lower expectations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Tuesday that if and when a deal is finalized, it would be brought to the government's approval "and to a public discourse."
Israeli ministers are expected to hold on wednesday for a pre-scheduled diplomatic-security cabinet meeting, where they may learn more about the deal's outline and timetable.
Even though Netanyahu reiterated the need to keep quiet, the Israeli leadership continues to issue statements on the matter. In addition to his own statement on the absence of a finalized agreement, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told new conscripts at the Israeli army induction center that with regard to Shalit, "It is a matter that affects every one of you - we all have supreme responsibility to bring him home using all appropriate and possible means."
Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said the following: "Israeli army commanders, those who sent Gilad to his mission, are committed to do everything possible to bring him home."
And Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Israeli minister of industry, trade and labor, who Tuesday morning, during his visit in Turkey, said unequivocally: "We are closer than ever to a deal."
Meanwhile, the PA leadership is worried that a prisoner exchange accord would bolster Hamas¹s standing among Palestinians.
In October, Israel freed about 20 Palestinian women prisoners in exchange for a video showing Shalit in captivity.
The video showed Shalit alive and moving - the first proof of his wellbeing since he was captured.
الكاتب: محطة أخبار سورية
مصدر الخبر: SNS-Agencies
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