By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : Israel has said that Hamas has caused a prisoner exchange deal to “go sour” three months after striking the deal.
Israeli radio quoted a source at Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office as saying Wednesday that an agreement has been reached several months ago to exchange Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit with Palestinian prisoners, adding that the Palestinian movement foiled the deal.
The deal stated that about 450 Palestinians would be released but Hamas called for 1,400 releases, and among the total figure of prisoners were Palestinians accused of murdering Israelis, which caused the deal to go sour.
The source claimed Israel suggested that Hamas would submit another list, but the Palestinian movement did not present any.
Israel accused Hamas of manipulating the deal in order to release those who killed citizens of the Hebrew state, the source indicated.
Three Palestinian groups, including Hamas, abducted the Israeli soldier back in June 2006.