IRAN BLOCKING SHALIT'S RELEASE

Iran seen stopping Shalit release (JTA)
Iran reportedly bribed the top Hamas leader to prevent the release of an Israeli soldier being held in the Gaza Strip. Israel and the Palestinian Authority recently were on the verge of a deal for the recovery of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, but an Iranian delegation paid Hamas’ supreme leader, Khaled Meshaal, $50 million to scupper it, Yediot Achronot reported Thursday.

Meshaal, who lives in Syria, has confirmed ordering the June 25 border raid in which Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and abducted Shalit to Gaza. He has demanded a sweeping amnesty for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails in exchange for the hostage. According to Yediot, a more limited prisoner swap had been agreed upon between Israel and the Palestinian Authority before Meshaal called off the deal.