Israel accused Hamas late Monday of hardening its stance in Egyptian-brokered talks between the two sides over swapping hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for a captured Israeli soldier. The Israeli cabinet is slated to meet in special session on Tuesday afternoon to hear a report from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's special envoys to the talks who were making a last-ditch effort to secure a deal before Olmert leaves office shortly.
According to Reuters, a statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's office said Hamas had "hardened its stance, had gone back on understandings formulated during the past year and had raised its demands despite generous offers" made by Israel.
Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official said negotiations have made progress but differences remain. "There is progress and there is a new (Israeli) proposal, but there are still some differences blocking conclusion of a deal," the Hamas official told Reuters.
