PA source: Hamas to join forces with Hezbollah in prisoner talks

[Behind the Aegis]

Hamas has decided to link any deal for the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit with Hezbollah's negotiations for the release of two IDF reservists kidnapped in a July raid, a senior Palestinian source told Haaretz on Sunday. Hezbollah seeks the release of Lebanese held in Israeli prisons in exchange for the IDF reservists.

This runs contrary to Hamas' approach to date. Until now, Hamas has negotiated with Israel through Egyptian intermediaries - separately from Hezbollah.

The source, who is close to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, claimed Hamas had decided to link its efforts with those of Hezbollah following Syrian and Iranian pressure.

According to the source, Hamas is trying to keep this development from the public because of the heavy criticism leveled against the organization in recent days by the two groups that participated in the raid that resulted in Shalit's abduction.


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