Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal is expected to travel to Egypt soon for talks on a prisoner swap with Israel for Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped on June 25 by Palestinian terrorists including Hamas. Gaza-based Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum gave no timeframe for the visit, however. An Egyptian newspaper published a report on Thursday said Meshaal could go to Egypt as soon as next week.
Hamas and its allies have repeatedly moved the goalposts, at times demanding as many as 1,400 imprisoned Palestinians in exchange for Shalit. Israel has said Hamas must first release Shalit and then it will consider a prisoner release.
Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronoth reported that Meshaal was making his move after coming under increasing pressure from Syria to agree to a deal mediated by the Egyptians. It also said that Meshaal could travel to Germany, which has mediated in Israeli-Palestinian swaps in the past, for talks as early as Saturday.
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