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Hamas: Some prisoners freed for Shalit may be settled in Syria
Some Palestinian prisoners freed in a deal for abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit may be settled in Syria, Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar was quoted by pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat as saying Saturday. Zahar's statement could be interpreted as addressing Israel's fears that prematurely released convicted terrorists might take up arms once they return to the Hamas-ruled territory. A Popular Resistance Committee commander, meanwhile, was quoted by Al Hayat as saying that Shalit had been injured during the Israel Defense Forces assault against Hamas in Gaza last month, but refused to disclose his condition. "Every piece of information about Shalit has a price tag on it," Abu Abir was quoted as saying. Jerusalem sources have said that Israel has prepared a new list of Palestinian prisoners it is willing to release and is ready to relay it to Hamas as quickly as possible. This is in order to advance a possible swap arrangement, after the cabinet decided Wednesday to make Shalit's release a precondition to any cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Zahar told Al Hayat that Hamas has yet to receive the new list. Posted by: Fred 2009-02-22 |
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