http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=240503Palestinian Prisoner Affairs Ministry says that German mediator's visit to Cairo for Schalit-prisoner swap deal was unproductive.
The Palestinian Prisoner Affairs Ministry said that a "surprising" visit by a German mediator to Cairo for talks over the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit was meant to distract the international community from the hunger strike being staged by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Palestinian Prison Affairs Ministry spokesperson Riad al-Ashkar said that there have been no developments in the prisoner-swap deal for Schalit, and that the current visit by a German mediator only undermines the process.
Hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli jails have joined a hunger strike to protest against deteriorating prison conditions.
The strike was called after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu toughened restrictions on Palestinian prisoners as part of an effort to force Hamas to free kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.
A Hamas official on Monday encouraged the kidnapping of more IDF soldiers and settlers in order to pressure Israel into freeing Palestinian prisoners.
"The policy of kidnapping soldiers and settlers will continue until the release of our brave prisoners," Hamas engineer Ismail al-Ashkar said during a solidarity rally for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails at the International Red Cross headquarters in the Gaza Strip.
Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Cairo for securing a prisoner-swap deal ended without results in August, and were reportedly postponed indefinitely.
Topic: Palestinians say Israel using Schalit as a distraction (Read 416 times)