Hamas spokesman Osama al-Mzainy told al-Jazeera news that Israel must understand there will be no agreement pertaining to Israel’s demands that a number of released prisoners be exiled. Hamas has refused to comply with this request in ongoing talks aimed at obtaining the release of Gilad Shalit, and the Hamas official signaled a deal does not appear on the horizon.

Mzainy blamed Israel for the breakdown in talks during the Olmert administration, explaining the insistence on exiling some of the released terrorists remains at the heart of the dispute, adding optimistic reports of an “imminent deal” are truly exaggerated.

Speaking to Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Sunday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declined comment when asked about progress on talks to obtain Gilad Shalit’s release. The prime minister explained that as head of the opposition and now as prime minister, he feels discussing such matters with the media is not in the interest of ongoing efforts to reach agreement with his captors.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)