Israel could release 800 Palestinians for hostage soldier
Afp, Jerusalem
Under secret talks being brokered by Egypt, Israel could release up to 800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a soldier captured by Gaza militants in early June, a report said yesterday. Quoting unnamed security officials, top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot said Israel would free the prisoners in three stages and that the negotiations were being held up over the timetable of the releases. Israel has refused as part of the deal to release Marwan Barghuti, a leader of the Palestinian uprising and a top official of president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah faction, it said. Gaza militants seized Corporal Gilad Shalit in a June 25 cross-border raid that left two other soldiers dead, sparking a large-scale Israeli offensive in the coastal strip to recover the serviceman and prevent rocket fire. The continuing offensive has killed more than 200 Palestinians. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of the ruling Islamist Hamas movement told reporters Sunday: "The Egyptians are making a lot of efforts. There are certain things going on to solve this question but there is nothing specific. "We hope the Egyptian efforts succeed," he said during a visit to a school in Gaza.
| 
