Region | Palestinian Territories
Hamas accused of raising extreme demands for prisoner swap
Israel is accusing Hamas of "making extremist demands" on terms for the release of a captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
- Agencies
- Published: 12:20 March 17, 2009
Occupied Jerusalem: Israel is accusing Hamas of "making extremist demands" on terms for the release of a captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Israel said Hamas "hardened" its stance as Egypt-brokered talks failed to hit an agreement on exchanging Palestinian prisoners for the Israeli soldier.
Israeli ambassadors returned from Cairo late on Monday and told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that Hamas "is making extremist demands despite the fact that Israel had been forthcoming in its positions," the prime minister's office said in a statement.
Olmert will brief his Cabinet on Tuesday on the Cairo talks, the statement said.
Olmert was ready to release about 450 Palestinians in exchange for the captive soldier, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported.
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