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Last update - 07:57 07/07/2008 Hamas: Shalit deal progress to be kept secret, away from media By Jack Khoury and Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Hamas, Gilad Shalit, Israel Hamas denied reports on Sunday that the negotiations over the release of kidnapped Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit have stalled. The deputy head of the Hamas politburo, Moussa Abu Marzouk, said that the reports are incorrect and talks on the matter of a prisoner exchange will be carried out in secret, away from the media. In an interview to Al-Shams Radio in Nazareth, Abu Marzouk said that both sides, Israel and Hamas, are interested in achieving progress on the prisoner swap. Advertisement "The Shalit case will be handled away from the eyes of the media and journalists - this was the agreement on this matter. It is not correct to talk about a freeze or a delay in the negotiations because there have been no substantive or practical moves on this issue," the senior Hamas figure said. "It is important to remember that this is a case with implications on the prisoners and their families, and therefore the two sides prefer to deal with the issue away from the media," he aded. Abu Marzouk asked not to discuss further details regarding the discussions, which are being conducted indirectly through Egyptian mediation, but said that a Hamas delegation will travel "as soon as possible" to Cairo. The current Egyptian focus, he added, is set on bolstering the cease-fire. "The crossings have been partially opened and this contravenes the understandings and the cease-fire agreement, and therefore there will be talks centered on implementing the conditions of the cease-fire by both sides." Israel reopened the border crossings into the Gaza Strip on Sunday, allowing some 80 trucks to enter the territory carrying a variety of goods and materials. In addition to food, humanitarian aid and construction materials, fuel was also sent through to the Strip via the Nahal Oz crossing. On Saturday night, Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided to open the crossings, following the transit points' closure over the weekend in response to the launching of Qassam rockets against Israel. Related articles: General Staff: Use force in response to Qassams ANALYSIS / Truce is a poker game, and both sides are bluffing Hamas suspends Shalit talks over closure of Gaza crossings Report: Hamas rejects Israeli bid to free 450 prisoners for Shalit Bookmark to del.icio.us   Killing spree Police conclude Jerusalem bulldozer killer acted alone. The Bar exam Attention celebrities: Israeli start-up company can save you from paparazzi   1.   I am talking to the media while I am not talking to the media 01:44  |  Pervert 07/07/08   2.   I am talking to the media while I am not talking to the media 01:44  |  Pervert 07/07/08   3.   Liberating the kidnapped soldiers. 07:19  |  Jean Van Daem 07/07/08   4.   Poor Hamas! Always "misunderstood". Like 2 days ago... 09:40  |  S 07/07/08

Read & React Akiva Eldar: Terrorist reflected mood of thousands in J'lem Responses: 3 Yehuda Ben Meir: For a united J'lem, spare the terrorist's home Responses: 4 IDF to step up campaign against Hamas in West Bank Responses: 16 Israel to exhume bodies of Hezbollah men ahead of swap Responses: 28 Rosner's Domain On Israel-Diaspora relations, Israelis are quite clueless How good/bad is Obama's faith based initiative (WTR) Poll: Do you believe Israel might attack Iran? Young adult Jews prefer to marry Jews Back to Vietnam More Headlines 09:51 IDF to target Hamas' West Bank civilian network 07:45 Israel to exhume bodies of Hezbollah fighters ahead of swap 07:51 ANALYSIS / Is Syria usurping Egypt's role in the Palestinian conflict? 07:57 Hamas: Shalit deal progress to be kept secret, away from media 09:07 Police looking into suspicions of forged bills of land sale at Migron 08:41 Israeli arms company successfully tests Iron Dome anti-Qassam missile 09:42 China to distribute free Bibles during Olympic Games 09:57 Assimilation threatens to destroy Jewish community in former USSR 04:32 Ten months after govt. decision, Sderot schools remain unprotected 01:25 Stormy cabinet votes: No gov't inquest into Ramon case 22:31 Attention celebrities: Israeli start-up company can save you from paparazzi 04:51 For most Israeli contractors, green isn't an issue 07:23 Soccer / Benayoun quashes rumors of leaving beloved Liverpool Previous Editions Select Day 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun

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