[ 21/04/2011 - 10:32 AM ]
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The grandfather of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Gaza Strip resistance forces in 2006, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of foiling negotiations at the last moment after parties were on the verge of an exchange deal a about a year ago.
Zvi said that Netanyahu's refusal to respond to the requests of former Israeli security services chiefs to have Gilad released in exchange for the said price was like imposing the death penalty on his grandson.
Israel had formerly confirmed that it would continue actions to retrieve Shalit by coordinating with German mediator Gerhard Konrad.
According to a statement released by Netanyahu's office on Wednesday evening, the Israelis will continue to work with Konrad's mediation under his latest proposal that includes banishing a number of prisoners to be released under the swap deal who Israel has classified as a security risk, a stipulation Hamas has refused.
Israeli minister Uzi Landau has refused to free Palestinian prisoners charged with killing Israelis in exchange for Shalit, saying that swap deal calls are detrimental to negotiations.
The British Middle East newspaper revealed Wednesday that a new European country, which has not yet been revealed, has agreed to mediate between Gaza resistance factions and the Israelis in the swap deal.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
