Hamas Shopping For New Mediator In Prisoner Swap
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Hamas has frozen talks with Egyptian mediators over the release of an abducted Israeli soldier, and may instead seek Qatar's assistance in brokering a prisoner exchange with Jerusalem, according to a leading Palestinian newspaper. The Al Ayam daily reported on Thursday that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is believed to be in Qatar at this time to request Doha's participation in mediation efforts. Qatar maintains strong ties with both Hamas and Israel. Hamas leaders are said to be unhappy with Egypt's mediation efforts after Cairo failed to secure a guarantee from Israel that hundreds of jailed Palestinian terrorists would be freed in exchange for Israel Defense Forces Corporal Gilad Shalit. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reiterated Thursday that his government will only agree to discuss a release of Palestinian prisoners after Shalit has been freed. Earlier in the week, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Sulleiman reportedly sent a letter to overall Hamas leader Khaled Mashal urging him to transfer Shalit to Egyptian custody and so avoid further Israeli military action against the group's infrastructure in Gaza. Gilad Shalit was abducted by Hamas-affiliated terrorists outside the Gaza Strip on June 25. Two other members of his tank crew were killed in the assault.
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