RAMALLAH: Senior Hamas officials said Monday that the group is still sparring with Israel over the names of 50 prisoners it wants released in exchange for the captive Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, signaling there were still significant gaps before completing the anticipated deal. Last week, Israeli and Hamas officials spoke of progress, raising speculation that an agreement could be wrapped up within days. Hamas is demanding some 1,000 prisoners in exchange for an Israeli soldier it has held for more than three years.
But Hamas officials said Israel is still balking at including prominent political leaders and top Hamas fighters it holds. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the German-mediated negotiations. At the top of the contested list is Marwan Barghouti, a popular leader of Hamas’ rival Fatah, who is serving five consecutive life terms for his role in shooting attacks that killed four Israelis and a Greek monk. Barghouti is seen as a possible successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Israel is wary of freeing him.
