By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli vice premier Haim Ramon said Sunday that Israel will not make a deal with Hamas for the release of a kidnapped Israeli soldier unless the militant group lowers its demands, local daily Ha’aretz reported.
Ramon made the remarks as the Jewish state is currently engaged in Egypt-mediated negotiations with Hamas to secure the return of Gilad Shalit, who was abducted by Palestinian militants two years ago and is believed to be held somewhere in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
A ministerial panel responsible for releasing Palestinian prisoners convened on Sunday to compose a list of 450 Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for Shalit, while Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida on Saturday raised the demand to the release of more than 1,000, according to the report.
“If there is no flexibility in demands on Hamas’ side as well, it won’t be possible to reach an agreement,” Ramon, head of the panel, was quoted as saying.
In mid-July, Israel released five Lebanese prisoners to Hezbollah in exchange for the bodies of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers who were taken away by the group in a cross-border raid two years ago.
Last week, Israel released some 200 Palestinian prisoners in a goodwill gesture to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the ongoing peace efforts.