A Hamas official has warned that the organization will halt all negotiations dealing with the release of IDF soldier Gilad Schalit if Egypt does not release a senior Hamas official who was arrested by Egyptian authorities who suspected he was planning an attack there.
At a rally in Gaza on Friday, Yusef Farhat declared that Egypt could not continue to play the role of mediator as long as Hamas official Ayman Nofal is held. Speaking to a crowd of hundreds he said “we have to put the file of Schalit in the fridge and it will remain frozen unless Ayman Nofar is freed.” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zhouri said Farhat’s comments reflect the frustration Hamas officials feel over the situation.
Schalit has been held captive in Gaza for over 846 days, so far all efforts to secure his release have failed. Last week Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad met with Egyptian intelligence head Omar Suleiman and other officials in Cairo to discuss the situation. Israel has denied a recent report in the Arab media that claimed Israel had agreed to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israel including those with “blood on their hands” in order to secure Schalit’s freedom. 10/18/08
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