Sunday, November 8, 2009

Hamas rep.: Netanyahu gov't working continuously on Schalit issue

(JPOST).The Netanyahu government is working continuously to achieve a prisoner exchange deal and secure the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar said Sunday.

Zahar told Israeli Arab website www.alarab.co.il said that this was a change from the behavior of the previous government, which "would send an envoy and then disappear for months."

Zahar added that, should Israel desire to hold the exchange, Hamas was prepared to do so even now.

Zahar would not give details on the talks, saying that "We prefer to remain silent so as not to affect those who do not want the deal to take place."