GAZA (PIC)– A well-informed Palestinian source close to the inner circles negotiating the prisoners swap deal with the Israeli occupation government has categorically denied reports suggesting the start of practical procedures in the process.
The source also urged PA officials and concerned parties to refrain from giving “premature” statements on the issue saying that the process is “very sensitive” and leaking any premature information could jeopardize it.
Correspondent of the Egyptian Al-Ahram newspaper quoted the source as asserting “News on case of [captured IOF serviceman Gilad] Shalit were untrue or altered as negotiation in this regard is carried out by the Egyptian security delegation in secrecy and under close supervision of Egypt’s intelligence chief Omar Suleiman”.
On Saturday PA information minister Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghouthi revealed in a press conference in Ramallah that the Egyptian delegation received the list of names of Palestinian captives to be swapped with Shalit.
PA chief Mahmoud Abbas was briefed by the Egyptian delegation on the latest developments of the swap talks as well as hindrances that might affect it.
Shalit was captured last June at the hands of Palestinian resistance fighters by three armed wings namely the Qassam Brigades of Hamas the Nasser Salahuddin of the PRC and the Army of Islam during a stunning armed operation at the Kerem Shalom crossing point southeast of Gaza Strip.
Three Israeli soldiers were killed and two others including Shalit were wounded in the attack.
At the time of his capture Shalit was inside his tank shelling homes of Palestinian civilians east of the Gaza Strip in which scores of Palestinian civilians including children and women among others were killed and wounded.
Captors of Shalit urged the Israeli occupation government to free Palestinian women and children captives in Israeli jails in addition to 1000 prisoners who spent more than 2 decades in prison in return for Shalit’s safe release. Israel didn’t answer those demands yet.
