VOA NEWS: Palestinian militants have rejected a new Israeli offer for a prisoner exchange.
The Islamic militant group Hamas has declined Israel's latest offer for a lopsided prisoner swap: 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the offer to mark the fourth anniversary of the soldier's captivity in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
But Mr. Netanyahu ruled out releasing dozens of top militants responsible for the deadliest terrorist attacks, describing them as "mass murderers." He said releasing such prisoners in the past led to new waves of terror.
Hamas responded that there will be no deal until Israel meet its demands and frees all the prisoners on the list. >>> | Friday, July 02, 2010
