Muzzaini: New German ideas on swap deal, Israel doesn't know Shalit's location

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[ 14/12/2009 - 10:44 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Dr. Osama Al-Muzzaini, one of Hamas's leaders in Gaza Strip, has revealed that the German mediators had presented new ideas on the prisoners' swap deal and proposed dividing the deal.

He told Al-Manar TV station on Sunday that the current round of negotiations on the deal is meant to test the Israeli intention, noting that the seriousness in the talks was imposed by the German mediators.

Muzzaini emphasized that Israel does not know the whereabouts of its captured soldier Gilad Shalit, describing news reports in this regard as "untrue".

The Hamas leader said that one and a half million Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip are looking forward to the exchange deal, hoping that it would lead to lifting the siege on the Strip imposed after Shalit's capture in 2006.

Meanwhile, relatives of Palestinian prisoners and the Wa'ed society for prisoners affairs said in a joint press conference on Sunday that the life of Shalit was not more important than the lives of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

They asked the Palestinian resistance to stick to their demands regarding the release of Shalit, adding that Israel's stringent measures against Palestinian prisoners would not weaken their morale.

They asked relevant international organizations to assume their roles and to ensure safety of Palestinian prisoners who are faced by an "arrogant enemy" that violates human rights.

Hamas, in a statement on Sunday on the occasion of its 22nd inception anniversary, said that the issue of prisoners is and will remain a top priority, adding that it would exert all efforts to ensure release of all prisoners.

It asked the western countries and the USA to re-consider their bias in favor of the "Zionist enemy" and to recognize the Palestinian people's legitimate rights.