Hamas threatens to turn Shalit into 'second Ron Arad' - Haaretz

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Last update - 14:25 20/08/2008

Hamas threatens to turn Shalit into 'second Ron Arad'

By Haaretz Service

Tags: Gaza, Gilad Shalit, Hamas

Hamas has warned that abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit will face a fate as uncertain as that of missing airman Ron Arad if Israel continues to tarry on negotiations for a prisoner exchange, Army Radio reported on Wednesday.

Abu Obeiada, a spokesman for the Gaza-based militant group made the comment on Tuesday, during an exercise simulating the capture of Israeli soldiers, the radio said.

He also accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of pressuring Israel to delay negotiations so as not to release Hamas prisoners.

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Egypt has been mediating negotiations for the release of Shalit, who has been held captive in the Gaza Strip since he was snatched by militants in a 2006 cross-border raid.

Israel has received some signs of life from the missing soldier, but the negotiations have for the most part been kept mum.

Israel this week agreed to release 199 Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank as a gesture of goodwill to Abbas.

The prisoners slated for release include two with "blood on their hands," convicted of carrying out terror attacks in Israel.

Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin told the cabinet on Monday that the release of these prisoners "creates pressure on Hamas and is likely to accelerate the negotiations over Gilad Shalit."

However, he added, "the gesture will not make Hamas more flexible about its demands, because the organization sees that Israel is releasing prisoners with blood on their hands, which merely causes Hamas to harden its position."

According to a government source, Shin Bet representatives spoke in favor of the gesture to Abbas, on the grounds that it would pressure Hamas to conclude a deal for Shalit's return.

Palestinian plan hero's welcome for prisoner slated for release

Meanwhile, Palestinians are planning a hero's welcome on Friday for a man being released from Israeli prison after three decades behind bars.

Palestinian Prisoner Affairs Minister Ashraf Ajrami said Israel has told him the release will take place on Friday, though Israel won't confirm the date.

Atba has spent 32 years in prison for sending out militant cells into Israel.

He is widely considered a hero and symbol of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Ajrami said there would be a rally for Atba and the other freed prisoners in the West Bank town of Ramallah. He will then receive another hero's welcome in his hometown of Nablus.

Related articles:

Shin Bet: Release of Palestinian prisoners puts pressure on Hamas

Gaza women training as suicide bombers in case truce ends

Egypt warns Hamas: Stop obstructing Shalit deal

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1.	The liberation of Gilead Shalit.	12:16	\|	Jean Van Daem	20/08/08

2.	Shalit NOW...	12:28	\|	Esther	20/08/08

3.	Why assume he is alive	14:10	\|	Jackie	20/08/08

4.	Israel could turn Gaza in to a second Tripoli, Lebannon	14:36	\|	ScotGuy	20/08/08

5.	"Second Ron Arad?"	14:45	\|	JordanisPalestine	20/08/08

6.	Hamas and bad faith, lies and evil	15:24	\|	Doc Holliday	20/08/08

7.	And Israel will turn hamas leaders to yassin...	15:26	\|	Igor D.	20/08/08

8.	Let`s accept the facts	15:49	\|	Nora	20/08/08

9.	Hamas Probaly killed Shalit And Knows They can`t hand Him Over	16:44	\|	Dish It Out	20/08/08

10.	Haniye will turn to Rantissi & Seikh Yassin	16:58	\|	secular muslim	20/08/08

11.	If something happens to Shalit while he is in	17:31	\|	ROBOCOP	20/08/08

12.	durson`s disgrace	17:47	\|	odles	20/08/08

13.	CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THE MURDER	17:52	\|	jewish doctor	20/08/08

14.	Rescue Shallit	18:38	\|	Brod	20/08/08

15.	`second Ron Arad`	19:13	\|	Ralph	20/08/08

16.	second Dresden	19:45	\|	Ilan	20/08/08

17.	Its Time	19:59	\|	Yariv	20/08/08

18.	No good deed goes unpunished	21:20	\|	Mike	20/08/08

19.	Israel needs to assume Shalit is dead. Then Israel needs to	21:35	\|	Ben	20/08/08

20.	Palestinian plan hero`s welcome	22:51	\|	Akiva P	20/08/08

21.	Close the crossings now	23:38	\|	x-ray	20/08/08

22.	We should give them something of real value	00:10	\|	Miche Norman	21/08/08

23.	If Hamas turn Shalit into another Ron Arad	00:10	\|	* BEN JABO	21/08/08

24.	Anyone except Livni would be an improvement	00:35	\|	Nemesis	21/08/08

25.	why not what do they have to be afraid of? big strong barak?	00:52	\|	ralph	21/08/08

26.	The Qassems have already spoken.They cannot be trusted anyway	01:26	\|	PETER SM	21/08/08

27.	Free Shalit	01:54	\|	Great White North	21/08/08

28.	Yawn, who cares about GS.	03:57	\|	POP	21/08/08

29.	Pressure should be turned up	04:03	\|	Free Gilad Shalit	21/08/08

30.	#28 POP - YOU CARE	15:58	\|	POP`S KEEPER	21/08/08

31.	POP #28	15:44	\|	Nad	25/08/08

32.	#31 Nad as in Gonads, You aint got Batzeem	23:06	\|	Big Sur	25/08/08

33.	I can tell you one thing if I was still IDF Shalit would be free	23:07	\|	Big Sur	25/08/08

34.	Easily said	09:40	\|	ChelseaJay	26/08/08

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