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Palestinian militants offer kidnapped Israeli soldier for prisoner swap
Major disagreements remain over timetable, specifics of exchange, which could include high-profile captive Barghouti.
Both Palestinian and Israeli officials confirm that Hamas militants have submitted to Israel a list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the Israeli solider kidnapped in Gaza last summer. But representatives from both sides say that any deal "would take some time."
The Associated Press reports that Israeli security officials are looking at the list — which conflicting reports say ranges from 350 to 1,300 names — "signaling a possible breakthrough in efforts to win the young man's freedom."
The militants holding Shalit have repeatedly demanded a large-scale release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in exchange for the soldier. After months of deadlock, officials on both sides confirmed Saturday that the Palestinians had submitted a list through Egyptian mediators.
An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said yesterday that the Shin Bet security service was reviewing the list and would soon give recommendations to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Corporal Shalit, a member of the Israel Defense Forces, was kidnapped last June by Hamas-linked militants, who demanded the release of all Palestinian women and minors in exchange for his safe return. Israel invaded the Gaza Strip to recover Shalit, sparking fighting that soon spread to Lebanon, after Hizbullah militants kidnapped two more Israeli soldiers there.
Ze'ev Schiff of Haaretz writes that Israel's receipt of the list is only the first step in securing Shalit's release, and that agreement on the Palestinian prisoners to be freed is "a major obstacle to the conclusion of the negotiations." Mr. Schiff also suggests that talk of Shalit's "imminent release" is premature - both Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and the Egyptian negotiators have said such things before, without their predictions being borne out. But Schiff writes that there may be cause to believe things are different this time.
Egyptian officials say that Hamas' attitude on the issue has recently changed for the better, due to the organization's desire to reach an understanding with European states over lifting the blockade of Gaza and establishing full relations with the Palestinian unity government. European representatives announced that unless Hamas takes a positive step, which must be expressed first of all in Shalit's release, there is no chance for a thaw in the European position.
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