Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday blamed Hamas for deadlocked talks that failed to win freedom for a soldier held nearly three years in Gaza Strip, declaring that Israel would not release all the prisoners demanded by Hamas in exchange. In a statement broadcast live on Israeli TV and radio channels, Olmert said efforts would continue.
According to the AP, Israeli officials repeated Tuesday that a blockade on Gaza Strip will not be lifted until the soldier is returned home. "Israel presented generous far reaching proposals to the other side that were supposed to bring about the release of Gilad," Olmert stated. "These proposals were rejected. Others will not be handed over to the Hamas." "There are red lines," he declared. "We will not cross them."
After Olmert spoke, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Hamas had never changed its demands and was not concerned about the next Israeli government. "It is going to be no different, and no change and no compromise on our demands," he said.
An Israeli official said Israel agreed to free 320 of the 450 prisoners. He said a deal could still be struck if Hamas presented a new list of 450.
A message on a Hamas Web site Tuesday threatened abduction of more Israeli soldiers "to release our prisoners."
Before Olmert spoke, Israel released two lists, giving examples of prisoners it was willing to free and of prisoners it refused to let go.
Israel rejected a Hamas demand to free Abdallah Barghouti, 36, considered the Hamas master bombmaker. He was sentenced to 67 life terms for a string of attacks that killed 66 people and wounded more than 250, according to the government list.
Among the prisoners Israel was prepared to free, on condition that they be deported, was Walid Anjes, 28. He was convicted of delivering bombs to attackers who hit major targets, like the Hebrew University and a cafe across from the Jerusalem residence of the prime minister in 2002, killing dozens.
