Region | Palestinian Territories
Hamas threatens to step up demands on prisoner swap
Hamas has threatened to step up demands in a proposed prisoner swap with Israel, accusing Israel of breaking a promise to free Palestinian prisoners.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:13 September 20, 2008
Gaza City: Hamas has threatened to step up demands in a proposed prisoner swap with Israel, accusing Israel of breaking a promise to free Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told Gaza news agency Ramattan that Israel is now only willing to free 450 prisoners instead of 1,000 for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Zahar said that "in this case, we will also go back on our word." He said that "we will open a new page, begin anew and demand greater numbers" of Palestinian prisoners to be release.
Hamas-allied militants captured Shalit in 2006. Israel has been negotiating a swap with Egyptian mediation.
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