No Deal

A sombre Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said: "We have red lines, we won't cross them."

Earlier, Israel had offered to free HUNDREDS of Palestinian serving life sentences for suicide bombings in exchange for the release of ONE captured Israeli soldier, who was seized by Palestinian militants in 2006.

But the proposals were rejected by Hamas who demanded the release of 1400 prisoners including hard-core militants deviously instrumental in previous terror attacks on the nation.

Olmert said: "The proposals were rejected. No others will be offered Hamas."

Already, Israel's offer was ridiculous considering the fact that many of those they were prepared to free were a threat to national security. If they had agreed to the list demanded by Hamas in addition to the hundreds earlier offered, Israel would have faced a bleak future knowing that many of the murderous militants would return to inflict severe loss and terror to the already beleaguered nation.

This would be Olmert's last stand, a final effort that would mark his last days in office two weeks away.

The collapse in peace talks could deal a serious blow to Egyptian-mediated negotiations to cement a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following the Jewish state's 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip that ended two months ago.

Olmert must soon hand over to incoming right-wing leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is widely assumed to be less generous than Olmert on the matter, having pledged a tougher line against Hamas.

Meanwhile, Olmert comes under fire for vacillating on his pursuit to free St.-Sgt. Gilad Schalit.
What would you do if you were him?

One soldier for hundreds of militants? Hardly a fair deal. But Hamas believes Israel would bow to its demands as it had in the past under similar conditions. So the impasse continues.