German mediator Gerhard Conrad has arrived in Cairo in the hope of moving ahead in clandestine talks towards facilitating the release of Gilad Shalit. Conrad, who arrived in Cairo on Monday (5 Tishrei) is reportedly to remain a number of days to meet with state leaders in the hope of the new leadership in Cairo continuing as a go-between with Hamas.
While there have been no official statements from Israel, the Arab media in recent weeks reported progress, including a softer Israeli position pertaining to a possible prisoner release, in the hope of releasing the IDF soldier from Hamas captivity.
In the meantime, Hamas lawmaker Ismail al-Ashqar on Monday announced that Hamas will not show any flexibility with Israel, stressing that the demands for Shalit’s release remain non-negotiable. The lawmaker added that Hamas will continue efforts to abduct additional IDF soldiers towards gaining the release of prisoners held by Israel.
Shalit was taken prisoner during a cross-border terror attack at the Kerem Shalom border crossing to Gaza. He just marked his fifth Rosh Hashanah in captivity.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Such clandestine talks that we’re all talking about them before they even take place!!
May gilad be released speedily along with all other jewish prisoners in jails in japan mexico USA and anyplace else. Acheinu kol beis yisrael hanisunim batzoro uvashivya… Hamakom yiracheim aleihem viyotziem… Mishibud ligeula Amein!