Talks on release of Israeli soldier break down

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-18-2009 10:18

Israel's negotiations with Hamas over the release of an Israeli soldier held by Gaza militants for nearly three years, have broken down.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused Hamas of making unrealistic demands and being inflexible. Hamas blamed Israel for the failure.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert delivers a statement at his Jerusalem office, Tuesday, March 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Israel's outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed that the talks had collapsed in a nationally televised statement on Tuesday evening. Olmert said Israel would not, under any circumstances, agree to Hamas' demands while he's in office.

Ehud Olmert, Israel's outgoing Prime Minister, said, "We will not agree to the release of additional prisoners from Hamas' list above and beyond the hundreds that we have already agreed upon and informed Hamas about."

Israeli officials said there was disagreement over nearly a third of the prisoners Hamas was demanding in return for the soldier, 22 year old Sergeant Gilad Schalit.

The Israeli Cabinet held a three-hour meeting to discuss the issue. Meeting participants signaled they had abandoned the negotiations and would turn over the matter to the incoming government.

Hamas leaders blamed Israel for the failure to reach an agreement, saying three obstacles stood in the way.

Osama Al-Muzeini, Senior Hamas Official, said, "The number. We were asking for 450 and they only agreed to 300. They insist on deporting a large number and we reject the idea of deportation in principle. They insist on exempting a significant number of our heroes - 150 in the first stages of talks - from negotiations."

Israel said it would maintain its blockade of the Gaza Strip until the soldier is returned back home.

In the past, Israel has linked the easing of the blockade to halting Palestinian militant rocket and mortar fire into southern Israel from Gaza.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei