Egyptian-mediated negotiations between Hamas' armed wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and Israel about a possible prisoner exchange have made an "initial breakthrough," but any progress will be held up until Israel's new government is sworn in, the Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar reported Friday, quoting sources in Cairo.
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The sources said that Hamas has announced that it could wait a long time, but would not accept a deal at any cost. Hamas is also refusing to link the fate of a prisoner exchange deal to other issues.
According to the Al Akhbar report, the Egyptian leadership agreed with Hamas' stance and is trying to promote an interim deal to bring both sides on board. However, the sources said that it was possible that the talks might be put on hold until Israel's new government was sworn in, as that might entail changes to Israel's negotiating team.
