By KUNA,
GAZA : Envoy of the Israeli Prime Minister Ofar Dekel who had held negotiations with Hamas via Egypt in Cairo on Sunday, to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, arrived in Tel Aviv later in the day, unsuccessful, according to local Israeli radio.
The radio had suggested that if Dekel’s mission was met with no success, the issue would be transferred to the government of designate-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier on, the radio had reported the pessimistic views of a number of Israeli officials on the success of the talks, despite Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s numerous efforts to free the Israeli soldier.
One of the officials, Rafi Eitan, who is Minister of Pensioner Affairs, told the radio that a deal might well succeed if handled by the upcoming government headed by Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, senior Hamas leader Osama Al-Muzaini said that the movement would not present a further list of prisoners it intends Israel to release in exchange for Shalit, rejecting any talk of developments in talks.
He told local radio stations in Gaza that it is likely the issue will be reassigned to the government, as Olmert has failed in solving differences in the prisoner-exchange deal.
The Hamas leader as well expressed his pessimism regarding the decisions of the future government on the issue, conceding that it would not be ready to offer any conciliation to Hamas’ demands. (pickup previous) mzt.sd KUNA 300014 Mar 09NNNN