Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah offered to take Egypt's place as mediator between Israel and Hamas and work towards the release of captive soldier Gilad Schalit, Channel 2 reported Friday evening. An offer Israel is likely to reject.Nasrallah’s offer came only two days after Israel released convicted murderer Samir Kuntar and four Hizbullah operatives as well as the bodies of some 190 Hizbullah fighters in exchange for the bodies of reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev,. The deal had been mediated by German envoy Gerhard Konrad. While there has been no official Israeli response to Nasrallah’s offer, it is believed that it will decline so as not to elevate Nasrallah's status in the Arab world. Nasrallah garnered intense media attention Wednesday, and even made a brief public appearance, his first since January to welcome Kuntar and the others home. Meanwhile, the Palestinian news agency Maan has reported that Hamas is making efforts to have Egypt replaced as mediator. Maan said that Hamas wants to conclude a prisoner exchange as soon as possible, and is "disappointed" by Egypt's handling of the negotiations. 07/19/08
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