国际英语新闻：Hamas awaits Israeli response to new prisoner exchange offer

GAZA, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hamas is waiting for Israel's response to a new proposal for the exchange of an Israeli soldier and a number of Palestinian prisoners, a Hamas source said Sunday.

    "Hamas has handed over the German mediator a new offer to bypass the obstacles that still prevent the swap and we are waiting the Israeli answer in the coming hours," a source told Xinhua.

    The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, has not revealed the context of the offer.

    The source said Hamas "insists on securing an honorable deal" to free Gilad Shalit, the soldier who was captured near Gaza in a cross-border raid in 2006, in exchange for up to 1,000 Arab and Palestinian prisoners.

    "Despite our flexibility in the indirect negotiations with Israel, we stick to our conditions and criteria to complete the swap," the source added. The talks were mediated by Egypt and Germany.

    Earlier, media reports said the differences between the two sides involve 10 names that Hamas is determined to include in the agreement while Israel considers them a threat to its security.

    The controversial prisoners include senior jailed Fatah leader Marwan al-Barghouti, leader of the Popular Front (PFLP) Ahmed Sa'adat, three women and four Hamas commanders from the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

    "The Israeli interaction with our latest proposals would be the final phase before finalizing the exchange," the source said.

    Meanwhile, the Israeli radio reported that the Israeli ministerial cabinet is holding intensive discussions over the swap amid strict blackout. The meetings are being held on the eve of Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman's arrival to Tel Aviv.