World Jewish News

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German mediator visits Gaza

The German mediator in efforts to secure the release of St.-Sgt. Gilad Schalit visited Gaza, Jerusalem and Cairo and met with senior officials from all three parties earlier in April, the UK-based pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Sunday.
The mediator reportedly met with Hamas leaders in Gaza twice, as well as with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo.
Palestinian sources told the newspaper that "the visit did not break new ground," and that the German mediator sought to revive the idea of a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel. Hamas said that none of the mediator's proposals allowed for a resumption of negotiations between the two parties, that were stalled after the organization rejected Israel's latest offer.
"Schalit will not be released through a deal," the Hamas source was quoted as saying. "We do not seek to keep him, but Israel should pay a price first."
Meanwhile on Sunday, about 50 activists campaigning for Schalit's release carried a coffin to Jerusalem’s National Precinct in protest of the government’s failure to resolve the matter.
The activists stood outside the Prime Minister’s Office building and shouted, "Let us make sure Noam Schalit will not become a bereaved father." Holding the coffin aloft, they added, “Here lies the military ethos not to leave any soldier behind."

JPost.com