Egypt blasts Schalit-ceasefire link

      Egypt offered harsh words of criticism on Thursday for Jerusalem's handling of the cease-fire negotiations that Cairo is brokering between Israel and Hamas, warning that "Israel is undermining its credibility" and that its behavior is harming the countries' relationship. After a meeting of the security cabinet on Wednesday, the government declared that it would not fully open the Gaza Strip's borders until Hamas freed kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit. Opening the crossings is one of Hamas's main conditions for a cease-fire agreement with Israel. The demand to include Schalit in any deal was a blow to Egyptian mediation efforts and would "hinder any chances for a cease-fire," Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said. (23,12)