Egyptian officials have offered to deploy 3,000 troops in areas of Yehuda, Shomron and Gaza in an effort towards maintaining law and order.

Both Hamas and Fatah have declined the offer, the Arab media reports, with Hamas continuing to express its dissatisfaction with Egypt’s mediation role in talks between Hamas and Israel to obtain the release of Gilad Shalit.

Hamas has been working to oust Egypt from the role, preferring to instate Germany as the mediator, but Cairo is clinging to the role which places Egypt in a good light in the international community. From Hamas’ point of view, Egypt’s role in the talks with Israel is not an objective one, and the terror organization is seeking to oust Egyptian Intelligence Chief General Omar Suleiman from his pivotal position in talks.

In a related matter, Hamas has released a message that Israel’s continued foot-dragging will result in Gilad Shalit becoming the next Ron Arad.

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(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)