By KUNA
Gaza : Israel is seeking to work out a deal with the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas to swap prisoners, the Israeli daily “Ma’ariv” said in its edition published on Wednesday.
Informal contacts and talks with Hamas in this regard are due to end in the middle of this month and a prospected deal will also secure release of the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, the newspaper said.
Shalit was nabbed by Palestinian activists a year and a half ago.
“Ma’ariv” said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, by seeking to work out a prisoners’ deal, wishes to enhance his image that has been seriously tarnished as a result of the blunders during the 2006 war with Lebanon.
A recently-formed Israeli ministerial panel is expected to recommend release of Palestinians “whose hands have been stained with Israeli blood,” according to “Ma’ariv.” The newspaper said the Israelis would deliver to Hamas a list of Palestinian inmates who would be freed in exchange for Shalit in two weeks. According to unofficial reports, Tel Aviv might free 350 prisoners.
Up to 11,000 Palestinians are reportedly held in 30 Israeli prisons. Some of them have been behind bars for more than 20 years.