Hamas denies Shalit release imminent

JERUSALEM, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- There is no reason to expect kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will be released any time soon, a Hamas source told Ynetnews.com.

Media reports of late have suggested a prisoner swap deal could be consummated in the coming days. However, the unnamed Hamas source told the Israeli news agency that talk of an imminent deal for Shalit's release is a "joke."

"The deal will only be completed when our demands are met," the source was quoted as saying.

"I understand the competition among media outlets, but we're not responsible for these reports. There are no draft agreements and there is no specific weekend where the deal is supposed to take place. There is no rule that requires the deal to take place during the holiday season. It will take place once the terms for it are in place, and this will happen when our demands are met."

The source said Hamas, which controls the Gaza portion of the Palestinian territories but is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, still demands Israel must open the Gaza Strip crossings on a regular basis and that Israel "put an end to all acts of aggression and repeated attempts to enter Palestinian territory in the Strip."