HAMAS OFFICIALS in Gaza are due to meet today with Ernst Uhrlau, the German mediator trying to clinch a prisoner swap deal between the Islamic group and Israel, although significant gaps remain between the sides.
After a marathon session of the Israeli inner cabinet, which ended early yesterday morning, Mr Uhrlau was presented with Israel’s latest proposals to end the three-and-a-half-year captivity of Cpl Gilad Shalit, who was seized by Palestinian militants on the Gaza border.
In return for the soldier’s return, Israel is willing to set free 980 detainees, including militants who participated in, or planned, some of the deadliest attacks on Israeli civilians.
The final sticking point appeared to be over the fate of some of the hardcore West Bank militants due to be set free.
Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who for years has advocated a tough stance against Palestinian gunmen, is reluctant to release a large number of prisoners to the West Bank, which is close to Israel’s main population centres.
While agreeing to most of the names presented by Hamas negotiators, Israel wants a large number to be exiled to Gaza or abroad.
According to a Palestinian source, Israel wants as many as 100 of the men slated for freedom to be deported. Hamas officials in Gaza will consult with the group’s Damascus-based leadership before presenting their answer to the German mediator.
Yesterday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri played down prospects for an imminent breakthrough, indicating that divisions among senior Israeli ministers lay behind the delay on clinching a deal.
“Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations, but will adhere to its conditions,” he said.
Speaking after Israel’s proposals were forwarded to Mr Uhrlau, Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak said the soldier’s return was Israel’s top priority, but there were red lines.
“This is a sensitive time and it would be wrong to expound upon the topic, but we, as those who sent Gilad, feel a responsibility . . . to make every feasible and worthy move to bring Gilad home, though not at any price,” he said.
Mr Barak also indicated that this would be the last large-scale prisoner swap undertaken by Israel. “It is clear to all, within the inner cabinet as well as among the general public, that the modes of action regarding prisoner exchanges must change.”