The Islamist movement Hamas accused Israel on Tuesday of hindering a long sought prisoner swap after Israel decided to continue indirect talks with the rulers of the Gaza Strip.

The two sides had appeared to be close to reaching a deal, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding five meetings in less than 48 hours with six top ministers before passing an offer to Hamas via a German mediator.
 

But Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri insisted those high-level talks merely proved Israel was behind the delay in reaching a deal that would see hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier.
 

"The scene that took place yesterday inside the Israeli government is proof that Israel is responsible for hindering and delaying the prisoner exchange agreement," Abu Zuhri told AFP.
 

"The division inside the Israeli government is responsible for hindering the agreement," he added.

Negotiations slow
It was unclear what the Israeli ministers decided in the marathon meetings, with the premier's office saying only that efforts would continue.
 

"The prime minister and the ministers have given instructions to the team of negotiators on continuing efforts with a view to Gilad Shalit returning to his home safe and sound," it said, without elaborating.
 

According to Israeli and Palestinian officials, Israel would free 450 militants, including many involved in deadly attacks on Israelis, in exchange for Shalit, who was captured in a cross border raid near Gaza in June 2006.
 

An additional 500 prisoners would be released at a later stage. There are currently some 8,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
 

Abu Zuhri said Hamas had not "closed the door on the negotiations" but that it would adhere to its conditions.
 

Both sides have imposed strict internal censorship on the details of the discussions, which have been carried out, first with Egyptian and later with German mediation, for more than three years.
 

Source: AFP