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Last update - 07:39 18/08/2008
ANALYSIS / Israel's decision to free Palestinian prisoners puts Hamas in dire straits
By Avi Issacharoff
Tags: Palestinians, Hamas, Israel 

Hamas' condemnation on Sunday 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.

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.
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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.

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