Hamas sets terms for prisoner exchange deal with Israel

Hamas will not disclose any information about the two Israeli soldiers being held captive in Gaza before Israel frees all of the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal prisoners who have been re-detained, a member of the movement’s political bureau said.

“Israel has tried through several parties and countries to obtain information about its soldiers captured by Hamas but the movement’s position is clear. No new dialogue before the enemy respects its obligations towards the Shalit deal,” Rouhi Mushtaha said in a televised interview.

“It is better for the Israeli government to expedite the completion of the deal,” Mushtaha said, explaining that the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and their families are steadfast and will be patient until the completion of the deal.

In 2011, some 1,027 Palestinian prisoners were freed by Israel under the terms of the Shalit deal, most were subsequently rearrested.