While negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue, a website affiliated with Hamas reported that an Israeli military operation to free Shalit was thwarted.

The report states that Gaza intelligence chief Abu Abdullah’s men arrested collaborators who were working for Israeli agencies, allegedly providing Israel with the location and details pertaining to Shalit’s whereabouts.

The former PA (Palestinian Authority) security officers were in contact with ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) agents, the report adds, all towards an Israeli effort to free Shalit in a military operation. This reported Israeli operation was to include the abduction of senior Hamas leaders affiliated with Hamas’ military wing.

In a related matter, Hamas on Wednesday released the names of heavy terrorists that the terror organization states Israel refuses to release. Appearing on the list are Marwan Barghouti, Ibrahim Hamas, Ahmad Sa’adat, and Abdullah Barghouti.

Senior Hamas official in Gaza, Iman Taha released a statement that Hamas is dissatisfied with Israel’s offer, and therefore the Israeli response was rejected after Hamas leaders from Gaza traveled to Damascus to discuss the proposal at length with the Syria officials, returning their response to “the Zionist enemy”.

There are also Arabic media reports indicating the German mediator is leaning towards returning home and halting his efforts due to the inability of the sides to reach agreement.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)