Deal in the works for Gilad Shalit?
The JPost reports that in an interview today with London-based al-Quds al-Arabi, Hamas spokesman Mahmoud Nazal criticized Prime Minister Ehud K. Olmert's 'lack of resolution' as being the reason that Gilad Shalit has not yet been released."The irresolute and weak personality of Ehud Olmert is preventing the formation of a deal which would lead to the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit," Nazal said.That's an especially interesting statement given that - as I reported last week - there have been reports here in Israel that the IDF has not been invading Gaza out of fear that harm would come to Shalit and because Hamas itself threatened to harm Shalit if the IDF invaded.
Nazal added that the reason there was nothing new to report on the matter was due entirely to the "stubbornness of Israel," which, he said, was responsible for delaying the soldier's release.
However, the Hamas official did confirm that negotiations were ongoing through the moderation of a third party, and he assured that the growing fear of an IDF incursion into the Gaza Strip should not in any way translate into an Israeli fear for the life of Schalit.
"Israel is hesitant to invade the Strip and not because they fear for Schalit's life," Nazal continued. "Given the fact that Schalit's kidnappers are guarding his life, Israel knows that it's almost impossible that he would be hurt."
But why is Shalit suddenly a topic for conversation? InfoLive TV reports that it just might be because there's a deal in the works:
As I have said before, I would be thrilled to see Gilad Shalit released - but not at the cost of releasing hundreds of terrorists who would kill many more Israelis.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:39 PM
2 Comments:
I am very much afraid he is dead and that any deal will bring the return of, at most, his body. This is a terrible thing to say, but I'm afraid it is true.
Is it not possible to implant a tracking chip under their skin without their knowledge while in prison? If so, send a little present their way when they get out...or at least very least keep tabs on him. Now that I think about it, it seems the soldiers need a tracking device in case of kidnap. =(
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