Israel: No Cease-fire Until Soldier Returns

Top Israeli Cabinet ministers Wednesday set a series of tough conditions for accepting a proposed cease fire in Hamas, saying there would be no deal until the Islamic militant group releases a captured Israeli soldier. The unanimous decision by the 11-member Security Cabinet was likely to set back Egyptian efforts to broker a long-term truce. There was no immediate reaction from Egypt or Hamas. Israel has been demanding an end to Hamas rocket attacks and arms smuggling and the freedom of Sgt. Gilad Schalit, who was captured in a cross-border raid in June 2006. Hamas wants an end to Israel's devastating economic blockade of Gaza, including the opening of its border crossings. In their decision, the ministers said there could be no deal on the borders before Schalit comes home safely. Hamas wants hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for the captured soldier, including some convicted of participating in or planning some of the bloodiest Palestinian attacks against Israel. The prospect of notorious killers going free has provoked heated debate in Israel and could delay the deal as the government sifts through the list of prisoners Hamas wants freed.