Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouq announced the terror organization is freezing talks towards the release of Gilad Shalit. A delegation has canceled a planned appearance in Cairo for talks, blaming ongoing “Israeli violations of the ceasefire” for the breakdown in negotiations towards the release of Shalit in exchange for prisoners held by Israel.

Mr. Noam Shalit, Gilad’s father, states he has not received any update from an official source, adding one cannot know if the statements released by Marzouq are reliable or not.

Hamas however is stating it demands the release of some 450 terrorists in stage one of the deal, including some serving life sentences for their murderous acts of terror. Israel to date has approved 71 names, leading to Hamas announcing it will suspend talks until such time Israel is willing to comply with demands. In the coming months, Israel is also expected to release an additional 500 terrorists in compliance with Hamas demands. Hamas has also included Israeli Arabs sentenced for acts of terror in the list.

Hamas over recent days has released statements that there is no point in continuing negotiations as long as Israel is unwilling to accept the list of prisoners, adding that the terror organization is willing to hold Shalit for 20 years if need be, until Israel understands the price that must be paid for the soldiers freedom.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)