Report: Israel offers to end Gaza blockade

CAIRO, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Israel is willing to open Gaza border crossings and free 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a kidnapped soldier, Egyptian media reported.

A report carried Monday in the Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram quoted Hamas negotiator Ayman Taha as saying Israel has offered the concessions in exchange for the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, The Jerusalum Post said.

Al-Ahram said Taha made the remarks after Palestinian negotiators met with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo Monday.

The Post quoted unnamed Israeli defense officials as telling it Sunday that Jerusalem was indeed considering linking the opening of the Gaza crossings with negotiations for Schalit's release.

"The (22-day Israeli military assault in Gaza) has created new understandings between us and Hamas," the official said. "Hamas knows that if it renews attacks, we will not be restrained."