Israel Trips

Olmert's office confirms progress in Schalit talks

The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed reports Saturday evening that negotiations surrounding the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit have made positive advancements.

Nevertheless, sources said, the path to ending the ongoing saga would take time.

Other high-ranking officials said that the public should be hesitant in believing reports made by Arab sources regarding progress of Schalit's case in order to avoid building up unsubstantial expectations.

# Egyptian envoy denies Schalit reports

Earlier Saturday, Palestinian Authority Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti announced that Egyptian mediators handed Israel a list of names of Palestinian prisoners that Schalit's captors want released as part of a swap.

Barghouti did not say how many prisoners are on the list. In the past, Hamas demanded the release of 1,400 prisoners held by Israel in exchange for freeing Cpl. Schalit, abducted 10 months ago. In all, Israel holds some 9,300 Palestinians.

Israeli officials declined comment Saturday on the handover of the list.

Barghouti said the next step was up to Israel. "The ball is now on the Israeli side, which can now speed up the release of Schalit and the release of some of the ... Palestinian prisoners who are in Israeli jails," he told a news conference following a Palestinian Cabinet meeting.

"If the Israeli government is serious, there is now a very good opportunity to end this chapter," Barghouti said.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he is ready to release large numbers of Palestinian prisoners.

However, negotiations deadlocked in the past over who should be freed. The Palestinians are demanded the release of long-serving inmates, while Israel has balked at freeing those involved in attacks that killed or wounded Israelis.

On Friday, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told French television Friday that Schalit would be released soon and that an Israeli release of Palestinian prisoners should not be linked to the release of Schalit.

Courtesy of http://www.JPOST.COM STAFF AND AP