Report: Egypt refuses to return envoys to Gaza

Egypt has turned back Israel's request that it return its envoys to Gaza and resume efforts to bring about the release of captured IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit, Israel Radio quoted the London-based Arab daily Al Hayat as saying Friday. According to the report, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's envoy for prisoner negotiations, Ofer Dekel was told in Cairo that Egypt would not consider resuming its presence in the Gaza Strip until the situation there reverted to the way it was before Hamas took over. "The matter of the situation in Gaza is more important to us than the Gilad Schalit issue," the Egyptians reportedly said.