JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel has offered to free at least 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, according to Arab reports.
Israel Radio cites the London-based Arabic A-Shark Al-Awsat daily newspaper as reporting that Israel offered to release 280 prisoners on a list submitted by Hamas, as well as another 1,050 Palestinian prisoners, and other steps including removing West Bank roadblocks.
The Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram quotes Hamas negotiator Ayman Taha as saying that Israel offered to open Gaza crossings and free 1,000 prisoners for Shalit, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Egyptian officials reportedly have warned Hamas that Israel could harden its positions after an expected victory by Benjamin Netanyahu in the Feb. 10 national elections and have urged Hamas to accept Israeli proposals before then, A-Shark Al-Awsat reported Monday.
