This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7896506.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Captive deal 'key to Gaza truce' | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Israel's security cabinet has decided there will be no truce in Gaza until an Israeli soldier captured in 2006 is freed, Israel's interior minister says. | |
| Meir Sheetrit told reporters that the cabinet had backed demands to link Cpl Gilad Shalit's release to the lifting of Israel's blockade on Gaza. | |
| Israel has closed Gaza's borders, allowing only essential supplies in. | |
| Leaders of the Palestinian group Hamas have said the border crossing and prisoner issues cannot be linked. | |
| After the security cabinet meeting, Mr Sheetrit told journalists: "The security cabinet unanimously decided that the release of the soldier Shalit is a condition to any agreement with Hamas." | |
| Cpl Shalit was seized by Palestinian militants in June 2006 while he was on duty on the edge of the Gaza Strip. | Cpl Shalit was seized by Palestinian militants in June 2006 while he was on duty on the edge of the Gaza Strip. |
| 'Insult to Egypt' | 'Insult to Egypt' |
| In recent days outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has demanded the resolution of the Shalit issue before looking at "reopening the crossings and rehabilitating the Gaza Strip". | |
| Before the security cabinet's decision, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, in exile in Syria, accused Mr Olmert of trying to block Egyptian-mediated truce efforts. | |
| Israel's security cabinet decided to back Prime Minister Olmert | |
| Even Israel's top negotiator in the peace talks, Amos Gilad, was quoted offering outspoken criticism of the prime minister. | |
| "Suddenly, the order of things has been changed... I don't understand that. Where does that lead, to insult the Egyptians? To make them want to drop the whole thing?" he was quoted saying in the Maariv daily. | "Suddenly, the order of things has been changed... I don't understand that. Where does that lead, to insult the Egyptians? To make them want to drop the whole thing?" he was quoted saying in the Maariv daily. |
| Hamas has demanded the release of 1,400 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails, including ones involved in attacks on Israelis who have mostly been kept out of past swaps. | Hamas has demanded the release of 1,400 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails, including ones involved in attacks on Israelis who have mostly been kept out of past swaps. |
| Aid agencies say Gaza needs the crossings reopened to people and a much greater volume and range of goods if it is to rebuild after Israel's 22-day air, sea and land bombardment which inflicted heavy damage on the territory's infrastructure and destroyed some 5,000 homes. | Aid agencies say Gaza needs the crossings reopened to people and a much greater volume and range of goods if it is to rebuild after Israel's 22-day air, sea and land bombardment which inflicted heavy damage on the territory's infrastructure and destroyed some 5,000 homes. |
| The Israeli authorities believe Cpl Shalit is still alive. In the past they have been prepared to exchange hostages and the remains of soldiers for large numbers of Arab prisoners. | The Israeli authorities believe Cpl Shalit is still alive. In the past they have been prepared to exchange hostages and the remains of soldiers for large numbers of Arab prisoners. |
| Post-election talks | Post-election talks |
| Later in the day, Israel's largely ceremonial president, Shimon Peres, will begin consulting parliamentary leaders to decide who to task to try to form a new government after close results in the 10 February general election. | Later in the day, Israel's largely ceremonial president, Shimon Peres, will begin consulting parliamentary leaders to decide who to task to try to form a new government after close results in the 10 February general election. |
| "I am conscious of the serious difficulties that exist at this moment," Mr Peres told public radio. | "I am conscious of the serious difficulties that exist at this moment," Mr Peres told public radio. |
| "I will do everything to allow the formation of a government that will best reflect the will of the voters and that will serve the country in stability and in a responsible fashion," he said. | "I will do everything to allow the formation of a government that will best reflect the will of the voters and that will serve the country in stability and in a responsible fashion," he said. |
| The centrist Kadima, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament to 27 for Likud party. She replaced former party leader Mr Olmert who stepped down after becoming embroiled in corruption scandals, although he denies wrongdoing. | The centrist Kadima, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament to 27 for Likud party. She replaced former party leader Mr Olmert who stepped down after becoming embroiled in corruption scandals, although he denies wrongdoing. |
| Analysts say although Ms Livni came first, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu appears to command the largest bloc of supporters. | Analysts say although Ms Livni came first, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu appears to command the largest bloc of supporters. |