Israel accused Hamas today 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 set to convene in special session tomorrow 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.
A statement issued by the Israeli prime minister's office said the Palestinian Islamist group 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.
Reuters
