After faltering on the brink of success, the prisoner exchange deal intended to free the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, will get what appears to be a final push at the end of this month.
The German mediator is returning to Israel/Palestinian territories pushing his own proposal to both Hamas and Israel. He laid down his proposal last November then returned to Germany, giving both sides time to think it over.
Hamas has demanded a total of 1000 Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails in exchange for Shalit. The biggest hang up, still troubling the deal is Israel’s demand that certain prisoners be exiled upon their release.
The German mediator is expected to tell both Israel and Hamas that this is their last chance. They need to make compromises now or Gilad Shalit and the designated Palestinian prisoners will not see freedom. This will put him at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said earlier this week that Israel made its final offer.
It is usually a last ditch effort when the negotiator writes up his own proposal.
The mediator is also expected to meet with Egyptian intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman and urge him to put all of Egypt’s resources to work, encouraging the completion of the prisoner swap.