Shalit talks break down; Hamas blames Netanyahu

Negotiations to bring about the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit have collapsed, a Hamas official said.

Mahmoud Zahar told the BBC on Feb. 2 that the process to swap prisoners has “failed” over the “interference” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Last month, Netanyahu called on Israeli negotiators to take a tougher stance on the deal being mediated by Germany, Reuters reported.

Hamas was angry that Israel planned to deport dozens of the up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners that would be released. Other reports suggest that Hamas halted the negotiations after the murder of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai. — jta