BICOM

According to Hamas sources, a new European mediator will be responsible for negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas sources yesterday told the English version of the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram newspaper, but refused to disclose which European country would mediate. The new mediator will replace the previous German negotiator, Gerhard Conrad.

Meanwhile, deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau Moussa Abu Marzuk confirmed yesterday the appointment of a new mediator and said that the mediators were working on a prisoner exchange deal but refused to go into details on the matter. Abu Marzuk criticised the previous mediator, Conrad, saying that he failed to advance the negotiations and chose to side with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The news of a new mediator arrives two days after Netanyahu announced that David Meidan will be the new Israeli representative involved in the negotiations. Noam and Aviva the parents of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad, who has spend more than 1,758 days in captivity, held their Passover holiday meal on Monday night outside the residence of the prime minister in protest.