BREAKING NEWS

Hamas officials in Cairo meet with German mediator, leave for Damascus

Hamas delegation in Cair

The high-ranking Hamas delegation led by senior official Mahmoud Zahar left Cairo for Damascus on Tuesday afternoon in order to discuss apparent progress made toward a deal for the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit with the Hamas leadership in Syria. Earlier on Tuesday, the delegation met with the German mediator to continue negotiations for a deal. Israel Radio reported later in the day that during a BBC Arabic interview, Hamas official Khalil al-Haya accused Israel of "dragging its feet" and releasing "distorted information" when faced with pressure to sign an agreement to release Schalit.