DAMASCUS, Syria, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A breakthrough is reported to have been achieved in the case of exchanging Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier abducted by Hamas in Gaza.
Damascus-based Hamas Politburo member Khaled Nazzal said Friday Israel agreed to swap prisoners but disagreement persisted on details.
"There is an agreement on the principle of the exchange, but disagreement remains over details, notably the number and the names of prisoners to be exchanged," Nazzal told United Press International in a telephone interview.
Hamas and two other Palestinian factions kidnapped the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit last June, triggering massive Israeli military operations against Gaza in unsuccessful attempts to free him.
"Until this moment there is no indication that matters will be settled soon due to the stubbornness of the Israeli side over the details," Nazzal said.
He stressed that Hamas' terms for freeing the Israeli soldier which were set from the very first day "have not changed in principle."
Nazzal reiterated Hamas's terms including the release of some 1000 Palestinian and Arab prisoners in addition to freeing female prisoners and teenagers under 18, end of Israel's military operations in Gaza and lifting the blockade which has been imposed on the Palestinian territories since Hamas formed the Palestinian government following last January's general elections.
He said Egypt backed the Palestinian terms and exerted efforts to settle the crisis in Gaza which it stopped due to Israeli stubbornness and inflexibility.
"However, Egyptian efforts resumed lately and Cairo is conducting the negotiations with Israel over the subject," Nazzal added.
Nazzal said there is "no coordination" between Hamas and Hezbollah to include Lebanese prisoners in the swap deal.
