'No more flexibility.' Netanyahu
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Hamas downplays Netanyahu remarks on prisoner swap
Islamist group source tells Al-Quds Al-Arabi PM's statement that Israeli offer for Shalit is the last of its kind 'meant for Israeli press'
Hamas downplayed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements according to which Israel would not show any more flexibility in the prisoner exchange talks.
"The comments are meant for the Israeli press", an Islamist group source told the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi on Saturday.
Netanyahu said this week that the proposal to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped into Gaza in 2006, is the last of its kind.
On Friday Ynet reported that Netanyahu had discussed the prisoner exchange deal with his predecessor Ehud Olmert.
During their meeting, Netanyahu asked Olmert for the exact details of what prevented a deal from being executed in March 2009, shortly before the new government was formed.
On Thursday a government official said Netanyahu "insists that very dangerous terrorists and those who have killed with their own hands will not be released to places in which they can pose a danger to the lives of Israeli citizens."
