Hamas officials go to Syria to confer on Shalit deal

A Hamas delegation from Gaza reportedly is en route to Syria to discuss a possible deal for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

The delegation was to leave Gaza on Friday for Sudan, then continue on to Damascus, the Gaza-based Palestine Today reported. The Hamas leadership in Damascus traditionally has taken a harsher line on Israel-related issues than the Hamas leadership in Gaza.

Israel and Hamas have been in touch via a German mediator regarding talks to release Shalit, who was taken captive in a cross-border raid in June 2006.