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Raising the stakes for Hamas By Avi Issacharoff Hamas' condemnation yesterday of Israel's decision to release 200 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stems from the Islamic organization's difficult position vis-a-vis the Palestinian public, as well as the state of its negotiations with Israel over kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Palestinians viewed Shalit's abduction as a heroic action that would lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners from Israeli jails. But it has also led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas officials' promises of a breakthrough in the prisoner negotiations have been revealed as empty. The blockade of Gaza was lifted, but only partially, and the economy there continues to decline. Advertisement Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, on the other hand, are bringing the release of hundreds of Palestinians - 200 now and 400 a few months ago - without abductions, killings or injuries, but while giving nothing in exchange. Although the public views the move as an Israeli attempt to goad Hamas, at the end of the day it will boost Abbas' popularity. The prisoner release will receive broad Palestinian, Arab and international media coverage. Even Hamas and its media outlets will be hard put to ignore it. The PA will get the most out of the media event: Senior Fatah and PA figures will meet the released prisoners at the Ofer military camp, near the entrance to Ramallah, and lead them on a victory parade through the streets to the Muqata, where they will pay their respects at Yasser Arafat's grave before listening to speeches that will be broadcast by Al Jazeera. Israel's decision limits Hamas' freedom of movement in the negotiations for Shalit. If Abbas managed to free 600 prisoners - including two with "blood on their hands" - through talks alone, Hamas will be forced to make Israel release dozens of such prisoners. The price that Gaza and the Palestinians have paid is too high to settle for less. Bookmark to del.icio.us   A second chance Parents shocked to see their baby breathing moments before she was to be buried. Kafka the Zionist Remnants of Kafka's estate found in T.A. raise questions of his belief in Zionism.

Read & React Iran claims its new warplanes can reach Israel without refueling Responses: 219 Livni helps get Israeli ID card for daughter of top Palestinian official Responses: 52 Egypt to Hamas: Stop blocking Shalit deal Responses: 29 Editorial: Israel must do what it can to stay on Fatah's good side Responses: 26 Akiva Eldar: Israel can't survive on just military strength Responses: 27 Itamar Rabinovitch: Is Russia becoming the Iran of Europe? Responses: 26 More Headlines 23:45 Report: Syria test fires series of long-range missiles 01:20 Security officials voice mixed reactions to Iranian satellite launch 20:52 Israel publishes names of 199 Palestinian prisoners slated for release 01:06 Baby pronunced dead comes back to life minutes before burial 00:06 From Australia to Israel, on a footballing peace mission 22:38 Israel Factor: Panel doesn't worry about Obama on Israel-Palestine 00:28 IDF commander kept in post 3 months after accused of raping mentally challenged volunteer 17:21 Russian troops begin withdrawing from Georgia 23:47 IDF magazine: Soon wounded soldiers will be evacuated by unmanned vehicles 14:39 'Kafka's lifelong dream was to make aliyah' 19:40 In village with no power, Bedouin family fights to keep baby's respirator working 17:46 IDF troops foil smuggling of illicit drugs from Lebanon 21:32 Disabled Israeli turtle uses skateboard to get around Previous Editions Select Day 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug

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