Differences over 50 names delaying prisoner swap deal

Ramallah, West Bank: Senior Hamas officials said on Monday that the resistance group is still wrangling with Israel over the names of 50 prisoners it wants released in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier, signalling significant gaps in the way of an anticipated deal.

Last week, Israeli and Hamas officials spoke of progress, raising speculation that an agreement could be wrapped up within days. Hamas is demanding some 1,000 prisoners in exchange for an Israeli soldier it has held for more than three years.

But Hamas officials said Israel is still balking at including prominent political leaders and top Hamas freedom fighters it holds. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the German-mediated negotiations.

At the top of the contested list is Marwan Barghouti, a popular leader of Hamas' rival Fatah, who is serving five consecutive life terms for his role in shooting attacks that killed four Israelis and a Greek monk. Barghouti is seen as a possible successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Israel is wary of freeing him.

Israel is eager to win the release of Sgt Gilad Schalit. At the same time, the government fears a deal could bolster Hamas at the expense of Abbas.

Shuttling

A German mediator has been based in Jerusalem for the past three months, shuttling regularly to Gaza to broker terms of the agreement, a Hamas official said. He said that in addition to the 50 disputed names, the sides are also arguing over Israel's demand that some 130 people be deported after their release. Hamas wants that number reduced.

Still, in Gaza, Hamas' interior minister, Fathi Hamad, said Hamas hoped to complete the deal by the December 14 anniversary of its founding, or December 27, the first anniversary of an Israeli invasion of Gaza. "It will be a celebration of the liberation of prisoners from the jails of the occupation," he said.

A Palestinian border official confirmed that two German diplomats had entered Gaza from Israel on Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the matter. The German Embassy in Tel Aviv declined comment.

Mohammad Nazal, a senior member of Hamas' exiled political leadership based in Damascus, Syria, said progress was being made. "The German mediator is very active, very professional. He devotes his time shuttling between the Palestinians and the Israelis negotiating over every single name on the list," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called off a one-day trip to Germany set for Monday because of a viral infection. His office said late on Monday that his doctor recommended another day of rest.

Israeli officials have refused to discuss the status of negotiations. But in response to a petition filed by a victims' rights group, the Israeli Justice Ministry confirmed that a total of 980 prisoners were set for release — the first concrete details on the deal the Israelis have made public. It refused a request to identify the prisoners who would be freed and said the names would be made public once the deal was approved.

"In principle there is a possibility that 450 prisoners who were demanded by Hamas will be released. Their release is being studied meticulously in accordance to various considerations and on a rational security basis," the statement said.

capital

swedish move flayed

Israel yesterday slammed a reported Swedish initiative to have the European Union support the division of occupied Jerusalem and have occupied East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state.

According to the Haaretz daily, EU foreign ministers are expected to officially call next week for occupied Jerusalem to be divided so as to serve as the capitals of both Israel and Palestine.

The daily said it had obtained a "draft document" authored by Sweden, the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, implying that the EU would recognise a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood.

— DPA