Israel rejects upped Hamas demands for Shalit agreement

      Israel sent a message to Hamas on Sunday telling it to retract its demand that Israel free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of captive Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit. Foreign Ministry director general Aharon Abramovitz sent the message during a meeting in Cairo on Sunday with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, in which he said Hamas must stop raising the price for Shalit's freedom. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said Saturday the group would not settle for its earlier demand for 450 Palestinian prisoners, but is seeking the release of more than 1,000 in exchange for Shalit. Last week, Egyptian officials told Defense Minister Ehud Barak that Hamas wants 1,500 Palestinian prisoners set free in exchange for Shalit, with the release of 450 prisoners considered only the first of two stages of the deal. (10,07)