Hamas official: no signs of imminent deal on prisoner exchange

Egypt has renewed efforts to broker a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestinian Hamas movement, but there are no signs of imminent agreement, a Hamas official said Wednesday. "The way is still so long under an extremist government like (Benjamin) Netanyahu's," said Ahmed Yousef, the Hamas official, referring to the current Israeli government. However, he said any progress is subject to the Israeli acceptance of Palestinian demands, especially those outlined by militant groups that have been holding an Israeli soldier hostage since 2006. The captors, led by Hamas, want Israel to free at least 1,000 prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit, the captive corporal. Israel holds some 7,000 prisoners. A delegation, headed by Hamas' chief Khaled Mashaal, arrived in Cairo Tuesday to meet Egyptian officials and discuss several issues, including the indirect talks with Israel over the prisoners