Negotiations for the release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Schalit have been renewed with the mediation of Egypt, London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Saturday.
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Negotiations for the release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Schalit have been renewed with the mediation of Egypt, London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Saturday.
But, the paper added, no significant progress has been made in the talks. According to the report, Egypt is attempting to reach a broad deal that would tie between the release of Schalit and a reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah.
The Jerusalem Post could not independently confirm the report.
However, Hamas told the paper that the two issues were unconnected. A spokesman for the organization's military wing, Abu Obeida, said the group's demands remain the same, and include the release of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, as well as female prisoners, sick prisoners and those who have yet to turn 18.
The paper added that the issue of Schalit's release would dominate French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's visit to Cairo, which began on Friday. Schalit holds a French citizenship in addition to his Israeli one.
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