Former deputy Foreign Minister and Egyptian presidential candidate Abdallah al- Ashaal said Grapel's swap is shrouded in mystery. He said it was not a deal but a gift for the U.S. and Israel from Egypt with nothing in return. Ashaal said the spy should go under trial first to learn details of his operation in Egypt then discuss delivery conditions. He emphasized his rejection for U.S. threats to cut aids in the case of Grapel was not released, he added rumors saying the exchange included F16 fighters with the 25 Egyptian prisoners are untrue. He also said the U.S. department denied these allegations, considered misleading for Egyptians. Ashaal said Egyptian authorities should have waited until a sentence was issued against Grapel, and to use this sentence as a pressure on Israel and solve the gas dilemma, lift the Gaza siege and drop Egyptian debts for the U.S. Regarding the latest deals between Egypt and Israel, Ashaal said they are just a temporary calm state between both countries and it will turn into a peer-to-peer situation once an elected president comes into power in Egypt.
