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Hamas calls off prisoner-swap talks

GAZA CITY: Israel crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed on Friday in retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire that has violated a rocky truce. Hamas responded by suspending talks on freeing a long-held Israeli soldier.

Under the terms of the June 19 ceasefire, Palestinian militants were to have halted all assaults and Israel was to have eased its bruising blockade of the impoverished Gaza Strip. In the final stage of the six-month truce, efforts were to be intensified to win freedom for the soldier, Gilad Schalit, and to open Gaza’s chief gateway, the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

But since the truce took hold, 11 rockets and mortars have been fired toward Israel, including a rocket attack on Thursday, said the military. As a result, Israel’s crossings have been closed for seven days since June 19.

Ismail Haniyeh, the Prime Minister of Hamas-ruled Gaza, accused Israel of not living up to its part of the truce. “We still say that maintaining the calm is a national interest, but the Israelis must commit to lifting the siege and opening the crossings,” said Mr. Haniyeh. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said talks on freeing Cpl. Schalit were frozen. “The Hamas movement has decided to suspend the talks on the captured soldier Gilad Schalit because Israel has violated the calm agreement by closing the crossings,” said Mr. Zuhri.

Hamas-affiliated militants captured Cpl. Schalit in a raid and have demanded that Israel release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his freedom. Israel has been reluctant to free prisoners on Hamas’ list because they were involved in deadly attacks on Israel. The prisoner exchange talks, like the truce, have been mediated by Egypt because Israel has no ties with Hamas.

Israel imposed economic sanctions on Gaza’s 1.4-million people after Hamas took over control of the territory a year ago. — AP

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