Hamas: 'Konrad offered new ideas in Schalit talks'
Report suggests that Hamas official says German mediator's negotiations could lead to breakthrough in release deal.
By JPOST.COM STAFFschalit banners 248.88(photo credit: AP)
A senior Hamas official said that the German mediator in the negotiations for captive soldier Gilad Schalit , Gerhard Konrad, has offered "new ideas." These new developments could potentially lead to a breakthrough in negotiations, reported London-based newspaper Al-Hayat on Tuesday.The anonymous official did not elaborate, however he said the mediator will soon return to Gaza with certain clarifications requested by Hamas, the report stated.RELATED:Encountering Peace: The Forgotten SoldierHamas claims PA plans to deport its W. Bank leadersThe source told Al-Hayat that Hamas would respond positively to any breakthrough in negotiations. He did, however, stress that Hamas would stand by its opinion that Israel must release all prisoners whose names were included in a list handed by the organization if it wants to see Schalit released.Noam Schalit, father of Gilad Schalit, last week said that his family had lost all belief in everyone involved in bringing about his son’s release.Schalit made the remarks during an Israel Radio interview in which he responded to reports that Konrad had visited Gaza to discuss the release of his son.Schalit said he hoped Hamas and the government would “regain their composure” and work out a deal that would bring about Gilad’s release after almost five years.
