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Senior Hamas leader Mahmud Zahar |
The Israeli prime minister is lying to the Israeli people about a deal to secure the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Shalit was arrested by Palestinian fighters in a cross-border operation in June 2006, after he had infiltrated into Palestinian territory.
Talks to free him have so far proved inconclusive. In December, the two sides appeared to be close to a deal, but there were reportedly serious disagreements inside Netanyahu's inner circle over the conditions of the swap.
On Thursday, Israel's hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his offer to release one thousand Palestinian prisoners in return for Shalit. However, he said that Israel would not meet any demand from Hamas, which has disclosed the list of 1,000 prisoners it wants released.
Hamas has rejected Netanyahu's prisoner swap proposal as deceitful, saying the movement wants the release of all the prisoners it has named in exchange for Shalit.
Netanyahu claimed that Hamas has never responded to the offer. But senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar accused him on Sunday of misleading the public with "cheap political tricks."
He said that Hamas is ready for negotiations but it will not deal with liars.
He made the comments in Gaza City on Sunday, during a protest by the families of Palestinians being held in Israeli jails.
Shalit was arrested by Palestinian fighters in a cross-border operation in June 2006, after he had infiltrated into Palestinian territory.
Talks to free him have so far proved inconclusive. In December, the two sides appeared to be close to a deal, but there were reportedly serious disagreements inside Netanyahu's inner circle over the conditions of the swap.
On Thursday, Israel's hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his offer to release one thousand Palestinian prisoners in return for Shalit. However, he said that Israel would not meet any demand from Hamas, which has disclosed the list of 1,000 prisoners it wants released.
Hamas has rejected Netanyahu's prisoner swap proposal as deceitful, saying the movement wants the release of all the prisoners it has named in exchange for Shalit.
Netanyahu claimed that Hamas has never responded to the offer. But senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar accused him on Sunday of misleading the public with "cheap political tricks."
He said that Hamas is ready for negotiations but it will not deal with liars.
He made the comments in Gaza City on Sunday, during a protest by the families of Palestinians being held in Israeli jails.
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