Haaretz publishes this today:
- Israel has agreed in principle to an Egyptian-mediated proposal for a cease-fire and the opening of intensive talks for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, security and government sources said yesterday.
The sources said that Defense Ministry official Major General (res.) Amos Gilad has relayed Israel’s positions to Egyptian intelligence chief General Omar Suleiman.
A delegation of Hamas leaders is to meet today in Cairo with Suleiman to hear Israel’s position. The delegation is headed by the Damascus-based deputy chief of Hamas’ political wing, Musa Abu Marzuk, and senior Hamas leaders from Gaza. According to the outlines of the deal, Egypt will announce that Hamas and the other armed groups in Gaza have decided on a cease-fire, and Israel will stop responding to fire from Gaza. Israel has not agreed to Hamas’ demand to extend the cease-fire to the West Bank but has told the Egyptians that quiet in Gaza will reflect on the chances for quiet in the West Bank as well.
Israel has also refused to agree to Hamas’ demand that the cease-fire agreement include an opening of the border crossings into Gaza, but has said it will ease the economic blockade of the Strip.
The Rafah crossing is under Palestinian-Egyptian control. However, Egypt reportedly wants to open it only as part of the agreement with Israel. Israel apparently wants to delay the opening of the Rafah crossing until significant progress is made in a prisoner swap.
Hamas spokesmen last week said Shalit would be released only in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, and not as part of the cease-fire agreement.
Yesterday the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Alawsat reported that Israel had agreed to forego a link between Shalit’s release and the cease-fire. Shalit’s father, Noam Shalit, said Israeli officials have assured him that his son’s release is an integral part of cease-fire discussions.
Israel is reportedly willing to exchange Shalit for 450 terrorists, to be released in two stages…
For background, see my my recent writings on Hamas, including my recent Boston Review article and full; text of my January interview with Hamas head Khaled Meshaal, accessible here.
More commentary later tonight, inshallah. Timing obviously interesting in view of Condi’s visit?