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Israel has reportedly agreed to free Marwan Barghouti as part of a deal for Gilad Shalit.
Last update - 00:01 09/02/2009
Minister Eitan: Shalit deal may be sealed by end of Olmert term
By Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, Barak Ravid and Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: Israel News, Gaza, Hamas 

Pensioner Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan said Sunday that a deal to secure Shalit's release could be sealed before the end of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's term.

"It is very possible that the whole process with Hamas, particularly with regard to Gilad Shalit, could occur during the tenure of the current prime minister," said Eitan, a member of the political-security cabinet who has been participating in talks over Shalit's release.

Shalit has been in Palestinian captivity since he was captured by Gaza militants in a 2006 cross-border raid.
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Eitan said that although Israeli elections to be held Tuesday would mark the start of a new government, "our experience shows that it will take about six weeks before a new coalition is formed."

Meanwhile, the pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported Sunday that Israel has agreed to free jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti as part of a deal to secure Shalit's release.

In response to the report, Hamas officials said that while Egyptian-mediated talks over a truce with Israel were progressing, there were no significant developments in an agreement to free Shalit.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in Gaza that a cease-fire deal could be reached within a few days.

"I believe we can say that the coming days will witness the signing of a ceasefire agreement that secures a dignified and secure life for our Palestinian eople like all the other people in the region," Barhoum said.

Mohammed Nazzal, a member of Hamas' exiled leadership, said that the group's delegation to Egypt was waiting for a positive development from the Israelis over the negotiations, but denied that there was anything new to report in the Shalit case.

Nazzal also said Hamas would not rush into any sort of agreement just because of the upcoming Israeli elections this Tuesday.

"We do not set our agenda according to others' calendars or schedules, meaning that we are not concerned about the Israeli elections ... we are concerned about signing a decent deal," he told al-Jazeera.

Shalit's family: We have no news of progress

Shalit's parents and supporters met on Sunday to formulate a response to the recent conflicting reports about Gilad's release. Noam and Aviva Shalit said they would continue over the coming days to meet with senior officials involved in the talks to secure their son's release.

Shalit's supporters said that at this stage they have no authorized information about whether the talks have progressed. In a statement, the family said they believe the current government is working decisively to bring Gilad home by the end of Olmert's term, as promised.

The family and supporters said there is now an unprecedented opportunity to free Gilad, and that the government can use all the leverage it has - Gaza border crossings, finances - to secure his freedom.

"The family and supporters have been strengthened by the promises of the country's decision-makers that every possible effort is being made at this hour," said a statement from the Shalit family.

Report: Israel to free Marwan Barghouti as part of Shalit deal

According to Al-Hayat, Barghouti will be among the 1,000 Palestinian prisoners Israel will free in an exchange. But the London-based paper also said that Israel has refused to release Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Ahmed Sa'adat.

Israel has also agreed to release 350 of the 372 prisoners on a list presented by Hamas, Al-Hayat reported.

Barghouti is the former head of Tanzim, the armed-wing of Fatah. He was arrested in a raid by the Israel Defense Forces in 2002 and in 2004 an Israeli court sentenced him to five life sentences for five murders of Israeli citizens.

The report came as significant progress had been made in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a new cease-fire formula in the Gaza Strip that will also include the reopening of the border crossings and the release of Shalit.

However, much still depends on Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal in Damascus approving the deal.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak confirmed on Sunday that "supreme efforts" are being made to secure Shalit's release in the near future.

The defense minister said he was doing his utmost to bring Shalit home, but warned that Israel would have to pay a heavy price.

"We're not talking about hocus-pocus in which we roll the dice and get Gilad Shalit in return for a nice smile or a gesture," he said. "In the end, attached to it is a heavy and painful price that we'll have to decide on."

In a separate radio interview, Barak said he did not think Shalit would be home in time for the election on Tuesday, but hoped he would be freed by the time the current government's tenure ends in several weeks.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tried to lower expectations, however saying media reports in recent days of an impending release were overblown and damaging.

"This complex and sensitive process requires due caution regarding all that is said," Olmert said. "When there is something to inform the public, I will do so. It is clear that we all hope that the day when Gilad Shalit returns to his family will come as soon as possible. We will not slacken in our efforts to achieve this."

Israeli's 'troika' meets to discuss truce negotiations

On Saturday night, Israel's "troika" - composed of Prime Minister Olmert, Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni - held an unusual meeting at the Defense Ministry to discuss the negotiations for a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, along the lines proposed by Egypt.

The meeting also included Minister Rafi Eitan, whom Olmert recently asked to join the meetings involving information on Shalit.

A senior political source said on Saturday that "there is still no decision on Shalit, mostly because of Hamas' need to form a joint position on the matter."

The same source also said that any reports that a deal may be at hand are exaggerated. "As soon as there is something to talk about, the political-security cabinet will meet," the source added. "So far the matter has not reached the decision-making stage."

The prime minister held a series of meetings on Shalit late last week. A senior political source said that during the talks a number of new ideas were introduced with regard to a potential deal. "In recent days, efforts on Shalit's behalf have been accelerated," the source said.

The breakthrough was achieved last week during talks in Cairo between Egypt's chief of intelligence, General Omar Suleiman, and Hamas representatives, and later in talks between the senior Egyptian mediator and Amos Gilad, the head of the Defense Ministry's political-security bureau.

Gilad returned from Cairo Thursday with what appears to be a detailed agreement for a cease-fire and he is expected to go back to Egypt in a day or two.

After weeks of hiding, Hamas' Zahar joins truce delegation

On Saturday, a senior Hamas figure from the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud al-Zahar, traveled to Cairo, in what was his first public appearance since going underground during Operation Lead Cast. He was accompanied by Hamas parliamentarian Salah al-Bardawil as well as Nizar Awadalla, who handles the Shalit case for Hamas. Accompanying them was the spokesman for the Hamas government, Taher al-Nunu.

Zahar told the Arabic language satellite television station Al-Jazeera on Saturday that Hamas will evaluate the Israeli proposals and will offer its final response to it.

The senior Hamas official will also travel with his delegation to Damascus for talks with Meshal and his aides. Their meeting is considered crucial on whether a deal will be finalized.

At this point the following are believed to be the main points of the deal that is being formulated:

  • A cease-fire for 18 months in the Gaza Strip (unrelated to the West Bank). Once the cease-fire comes to an end, it will be possible to extend it for another 18 months. Hamas has promised to prevent attacks from the Gaza Strip and the IDF will avoid attacks of its own.

  • A full reopening of the crossings between Israel and the Strip, which means more than mere humanitarian assistance will be allowed to cross into Gaza. Israel has conditioned a full reopening of the crossings on the release of Gilad Shalit.

  • Gilad Shalit will be returned to Israel in the near future, in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

  • Reopening of the Rafah border crossing. Following Egyptian insistence, the crossing will be run by Palestinian Authority officials loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas. However, unlike a similar 2005 agreement, Hamas will be allowed to maintain a presence at the crossings.

    This formula appears to be acceptable to Israel, Egypt and the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip, under Ismail Haniyeh. The main obstacle at this point may lie in Damascus, since Meshal may block it. Also opposed to the formula under negotiation is the head of Hamas' military wing, Ahmed Ja'abari.

    Related articles:
  • Olmert blasts 'damaging' reports on Shalit, in veiled attack on Barak
  • Hamas leader Zahar: Final word on Israel truce proposal soon
  • Noam Shalit: Hard to believe there is a deal on Gilad
  • ANALYSIS / Olmert wants Shalit deal before he leaves office
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      1.   It will not work. Torah forbids 100s in return for one. 02:41  |  David 08/02/09
      2.   so whats israel getting out of this?? 02:48  |  danny 08/02/09
      3.   Wow - I hope these beginnings of seemingly good news will - 02:57  |  ivo 08/02/09
      4.   Hamas gets to keep the smuggling tunnels to get weapons from Iran 03:13  |  Jason 08/02/09
      5.   Kadima ready to release suicide bombers 03:14  |  Dan 08/02/09
      6.   Kadima to give Hamas to give hamas control of rafah crossing 03:17  |  Dan 08/02/09
      7.   hey danny 03:21  |  jordan 08/02/09
      8.   `disproportionate` deal 03:24  |  lw 08/02/09
      9.   Forget About Meshal And Ja`abari... 03:31  |  Jeff Northridge 08/02/09
      10.   so whats israel getting out of this?? 03:33  |  cesare 08/02/09
      11.   Sounds quite reasonable. 03:37  |  Johnboy 08/02/09
      12.   The current gov`t is absolutely insane 03:39  |  Baruch Yaakov 08/02/09
      13.   Hamas wants Livni and Kadima leftists to win 04:03  |  Harrold 08/02/09
      14.   hamas dealing 04:26  |  syd 08/02/09
      15.   Gilad Shalit 04:49  |  Joseph 08/02/09
      16.   Alive or Dead, like in the last deal w/Hizballah 04:53  |  SGilbert 08/02/09
      17.   Are cease-fire main points conform to UNSC 1860 ? 05:01  |  Joseph.E 08/02/09
      18.   So Dan... 05:10  |  Michael Hess 08/02/09
      19.   A GOOD DEAL 05:32  |  indrajaya 08/02/09
      20.   Some realists in Hamas? 07:11  |  Publius 08/02/09
      21.   #1: Sodom & Gomorah 07:33  |  Spitzer 08/02/09
      22.   Hamas has been defeated but no peace in sight 07:41  |  Daniel Leopold 08/02/09
      23.   Gilad Shalit 07:42  |  JJ 08/02/09
      24.   Israel has no will to survive 08:12  |  Absolute Sweden 08/02/09
      25.   INDRAJAYA because Hamas" won",the numbers they get dropped 08:27  |  PETER SM 08/02/09
      26.   Let me get this straight, Israel went to war against Hamas? 08:32  |  Joe 08/02/09
      27.   Lets get realistic..we can not ignore Hamas 08:40  |  Dave schwab 08/02/09
      28.   another fashla 08:40  |  MarkC 08/02/09
      29.   Not a decision for Kadima or Olmert 08:41  |  Ron 08/02/09
      30.   No complaints of disproportionality 08:58  |  judith 08/02/09
      31.   Kadima keeps going backwards 10:03  |  a voice 08/02/09
      32.   re danny #2 `so what`s Israel getting out of this?` 10:08  |  Colin Wright 08/02/09
      33.   All this could have reached 2 years ago 10:19  |  Palestinian 08/02/09
      34.   The release of 1000 for 1 will boost the terrorists morals. 10:19  |  Anders Branderud 08/02/09
      35.   Barghouti,Shalit and voter manipulation 10:36  |  DT 08/02/09
      36.   hey jordan! 10:37  |  yes, open the border 08/02/09
      37.   What??? Do Not free terrrorist Bargouti!!!! 10:39  |  Baruch Gold 08/02/09
      38.   Government Has No Right 10:41  |  Baruch Gold 08/02/09
      39.   Joke 10:42  |  Albert 08/02/09
      40.   Hamas will score own-goal if Marwan Barghouti is freed 10:45  |  JustMe 08/02/09
      41.   Shalit deal 10:48  |  Yerucham Teitelbaum 08/02/09
      42.   Answer to #30 about disproportionality 10:49  |  David 08/02/09
      43.   Again I ask: Why wasn`t this done 2 and a half years ago? 10:56  |  Tzfonit 08/02/09
      44.   Hamas "freeing" Barghouti, pretty smart move indeed.... 10:58  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/02/09
      45.   BUYING VOTES- Prisoner SWAP 11:05  |  Avraham 08/02/09
      46.   deal 11:10  |  rm 08/02/09
      47.   Marwan Barghouti was 11:16  |  Chris Linthwaite 08/02/09
      48.   Gilad Shalit must be released at any cost...! 11:29  |  Stephen. 08/02/09
      49.   We have become fools 11:30  |  Shalom Freedman 08/02/09
      50.   sick joke 11:31  |  David Scott 08/02/09
      51.   Now we are getting somewhere 11:43  |  Natallie Durson 08/02/09
      52.   Focus on the positive 11:47  |  Natallie Durson 08/02/09
      53.   Swiss (Dino) As usual, you don`t get it. 11:47  |  Tzfonit 08/02/09
      54.   1000 for 1? 11:55  |  Jordan 08/02/09
      55.   I AM AHAMED OF MYSELF FOR VOTING KADIMA IN 2006 11:58  |  zionist forever 08/02/09
      56.   Bargouti, from 5 life sentences to 7y. in prison 12:00  |  Nora 08/02/09
      57.   Bargouti 12:06  |  Davo 08/02/09
      58.   Judith (concerned about proportionality) 12:29  |  Guido 08/02/09
      59.   TELL ME, PEOPLE 12:41  |  indrajaya 08/02/09
      60.   How Did Al-Hayat Get Ahold Of This Rumor? 12:48  |  Jeff Northridge 08/02/09
      61.   Certain principles that need to be applied. 12:56  |  Jean Van Daem 08/02/09
      62.   # 48 Tzfonits "dreamworld" and the ME realities..... 13:11  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/02/09
      63.   #.54. Jeff Northridge. On strange whisperings. 13:33  |  Stephen. 08/02/09
      64.   Stephen # 45 Not "At All Costs" 13:41  |  Jeff Northridge 08/02/09
      65.   # 48 By the way, Tzfonit, I may only be an "outsider"..... 13:42  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/02/09
      66.   Barghouti ...... a pragmatist or a fanatic 13:51  |  allang 08/02/09
      67.   To No 8 13:54  |  Abe 08/02/09
      68.   GUIDO 1 Arab for 1 Israeli is "proprtional" 14:04  |  PETER SM 08/02/09
      69.   Tzfonit # 48 What`s The Matter With Two Separate Peace Deals? 14:05  |  Jeff Northridge 08/02/09
      70.   Dumb and dumber 14:07  |  MAJ 08/02/09
      71.   Why not trade Jerusalem too? that`s fair right? 14:15  |  Avi 08/02/09
      72.   We are stiff necked and stubborn 14:18  |  Dan Lori 08/02/09
      73.   let`s see... payoff the Hamas murderers or not? 14:21  |  Avi 08/02/09
      74.   Free Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian Nelson Mandela! 14:23  |  Erik 08/02/09
      75.   This will encourage more kidnappings 15:09  |  david 08/02/09
      76.   If Gilad is alive then..... 15:23  |  Miriam 08/02/09
      77.   #2 DannyBoy. The only thing Hamas cannot get Back the 1500 dead G 15:29  |  A.Monaf 08/02/09
      78.   #71. Avi . THis is a very good idea for eternal Peace 15:32  |  Ben Kassim 08/02/09
      79.   #2, Nothing, Israel lost the war 16:03  |  Sama 08/02/09
      80.   prisoner exchange 16:10  |  sassoon 08/02/09
      81.   Reality Bites 16:14  |  Steven 08/02/09
      82.   Hamas, Barghouti & Shalit 16:16  |  Avner 08/02/09
      83.   #.64. Jeff Northridge. On kidnapping of IDF soldiers. 16:17  |  Stephen. 08/02/09
      84.   A VERY BAD IDEA!!!! 16:19  |  dp 08/02/09
      85.   Freeing Barghouti 18:30  |  Earl Mann 08/02/09
      86.   Erik 18:42  |  Jake1948 08/02/09
      87.   Barghouthi - Best Bet For Fatah - Hamas Reconciliation 19:27  |  chet 08/02/09
      88.   Re# 1 More murder swill follow anyway... 19:46  |  Ines 08/02/09
      89.   Re#4 Not really... 20:10  |  Ines 08/02/09
      90.   Re# 5 Yah that is the way life is.... 20:14  |  Ines 08/02/09
      91.   1 Israeli = 1,000 Palestinians 20:17  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/02/09
      92.   Re # 7 Dan You are right.... 20:18  |  Ines 08/02/09
      93.   Erik: What an insult to Mandella! 20:22  |  Avi 08/02/09
      94.   Re# Hey Jordan 20:25  |  Ines 08/02/09
      95.   Re# 8 We don`t really have to give Hamas 20:35  |  Ines 08/02/09
      96.   Re # 9 Well those guys are very busy.. 20:38  |  Ines 08/02/09
      97.   Re # 9 There was no need to kill anyone... 20:42  |  Ines 08/02/09
      98.   Re # 11 Gaza...Hamas consider Israel the #1 20:48  |  Ines 08/02/09
      99.   Re# 12 Well Baruch...this is not Long Island ... 20:57  |  Ines 08/02/09
      100.   Re # 14 Very very right Syd... 21:03  |  Ines 08/02/09
      101.   Right Indrajaya (59) victory for Hamas because Israel itself has 21:04  |  Jew- and Bookburner 08/02/09
      102.   The VALUE of one Jewish life 21:13  |  Avrum 08/02/09
      103.   the exchange should take place 21:35  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/02/09
      104.   A ray of hope on the far horizon 21:38  |  David 08/02/09
      105.   CJK #103 00:47  |  Peter Williams 09/02/09
      106.   Barghouti for Shalit 01:55  |  Bill 09/02/09
      107.   Avi: cut it out. Barghouti for Shalit makes sense 02:27  |  Bill 09/02/09
      108.   DAVID NY Israel had every opportunity&reason to kill Barghoutti 08:11  |  PETER SM 09/02/09
      109.   Such trades fuels Yisrael Beiteinu, Mash`al and terror 09:28  |  Edward 09/02/09
      110.   Barghouti already working with Israel 09:53  |  Shtarka 09/02/09
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