Hamas said on August 8 that the indirect talks between the movement and Israel to free abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are at a standstill. The movement said the Israeli government is unwilling to make any further concessions in negotiations to free Gilad in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Gilad has been in Hamas captivity since he was abducted in a 2006 cross-border raid. Egypt and Germany have been mediating for a prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to make further compromises on a list of Hamas demands, while the movement in turn rejected the possibility of easing its demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners. There are 7,500 Palestinians, including 270 under the age of 18, currently held in 10 prisons and three detention camps in Israel and in the West Bank. There are also three prisoners who have been in jail for more than 30 years, and 315 prisoners who have been in jail for more than 15 years.
ISRAEL, HAMAS PRISONERS’ SWAP TALKS AT A STANDSTILL
ISRAEL, HAMAS PRISONERS’ SWAP TALKS AT A STANDSTILL
