Egyptian officials are blaming Hamas politburo leader Khaled Meshal of intentionally sabotaging talks aimed at obtaining the release of Gilad Shalit.

Egyptian officials are also indicating Cairo does not have any intention of relinquishing its role as the main mediator in Shalit talks, unwilling to step down and hand the reins to a European nation, most likely German, a move that would be welcomed by Hamas.

Israeli officials report Egyptian Intelligence Chief General Omar Suleiman told Meshal he is unwilling to permit Hamas to continue with the current hard-line position, which is hampering the talks.

Talks regarding Shalit’s release were to resume immediately following the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and the Israeli opening of Rafiach Crossing but the Regev-Goldwasser prisoner exchange resulted in Hamas significantly hardening its position, increasing demands towards Shalit’s release.

Responding to the government’s decision of Sunday to release an additional 200 terrorists and security prisoners, the Almagor terror victim’s association stated, “We are returning to the days of Oslo during which 1,400 were killed, with hundreds murdered by terrorists released from Israeli prisons”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)