Update: Israel Offers Truce Deal But Hamas Refuses Condition To Release Soldier

Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Israel has offered Hamas a truce deal that includes a prisoner swap but the Islamist group ruling Gaza refuses to free a kidnapped Israeli soldier in exchange for 450 Palestinian captives.

Egyptian intelligence chief and peace mediator Omar Suleiman met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem on Monday. According to The Media Line, Suleiman said the three Israeli leaders proposed a ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the transfer of more goods in border crossing and the opening of the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit to Egypt.

After the soldier kidnapped by Hamas militants in 2006 is freed, Israel will also free 450 Hamas prisoners.

However, TML quoted Mahmoud a-Zahhar, a top Hamas leader in Gaza, as saying on Tuesday, "The prisoners' exchange deal is not part of the calm agreement. We will not give Shalit for free." A-Zahhar added that Shalit's release is not part of the truce negotiations.