Israel Matzav

Egypt pressures Meshaal

Egypt is turning up the pressure on Hamas chieftain Khaled Meshaal, ordering him to cause the release of kidnapped IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit and to cause Hamas to join a 'national unity government' with 'moderate Palestinian President' Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen's Fatah. No word yet that Meshaal is budging from his Damascus hideout....

The Egyptian demand came in a "strongly worded letter" from Egypt's powerful intelligence chief Omar Suleiman to Meshal, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the letter.

Suleiman's letter also demanded Hamas cooperate fully with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in forming a national unity government, a step that has been stalled by the militant group's refusal to form an administration that recognizes Israel.

The message reflected increasing impatience with Hamas by Egypt, which has been mediating for months, trying to reach a deal on a prisoner swap for the release of Shalit.

"The leadership has received the Egyptian letter today and is studying it" a Hamas official close to Meshal told the Associated Press from Damascus.

But can or will the Egyptians do anything? I doubt it.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:00 PM