Hamas says restrictions on prisoners not to change demands

GAZA, March 29 - The military wing of Hamas on Sunday said expected harassment against its prisoners in Israeli jails will not succeed changing Hamas' conditions for a prisoner exchange deal. An Israeli committee would present a list of new restrictions on Hamas prisoners to the outgoing cabinet for ratification in a bid to put pressure on the Islamic movement for holding an Israeli soldier hostage since 2006.

"These procedures will make us stick more to our conditions and demands for the swap," said Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Gaza Strip. "The enemy will not be able to extort our stances by these crimes." Israel plans to deprive Hamas and Islamic Jihad prisoners from family visits and watching the TV in addition to more restrictions after intensive efforts to secure the release of the soldier Gilad Shalit failed.