Egyptian mediators have presented Hamas and other groups with a new proposal aimed at ending a six-week-old standoff over an Israeli soldier seized near the Gaza strip, Hamas officials said on Tuesday. The proposal called for Hamas to transfer Corporal Gilad Shalit to Egyptian authorities in return for Israel’s release of up to 600 Palestinian prisoners, including women and minors.
Another group of Palestinian prisoners, including many who have served longer sentences, would be freed by Israel at a later date.
The Israeli government has so far rejected any prisoner swap for Shalit, who was captured by gunmen from Hamas and other groups in a cross-border raid on June 25.
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