Hamas answer on Shalit deal expected within days

ALI WAKED

JERUSALEM — Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal said the Islamist organisation will provide a “final” answer regarding the deal to release captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to the German mediator within days.

According to Hamas’ website, Mashaal made the statements during a visit to Doha, the capital of Qatar, on January 10. He noted that the deal is currently at a delicate stage.

Mashaal also accused Israel of trying to “manipulate and play games” as well as other elements of trying to hinder it.

Mashaal’s message contradicts the statements made by his deputy Moussa Abu Marzouk as quoted on January 10 by the London-based al-Hayat newspaper.

According to the paper, Marzouk estimated that Hamas would receive Israel’s official response via the German mediator Gerhard Conrad in respect to the organization’s demands within two days.

“Currently there is no deal. Should the prisoner swap negotiations fail, the full weight of responsibility will lie on Netanyahu’s shoulders,” said Marzouk.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also noted during a meeting with Likud Knesset members on January 10 that Israel will not release “terror symbols”.

“We have no intention of freeing major terrorists and the release of terrorists to Judea and Samaria should be prevented,” he said.

YNET