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Samir Kuntar. (Alberto Denkberg) Last update - 17:38 30/06/2008 Hamas: Kuntar deal sets precedent for release of Palestinian terrorists By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent, and The Associated Press Tags: hezbollah, truce, hamas  Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar on Monday hailed the inclusion of jailed Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar in an imminent Israel-Hezbollah prisoner swap, saying it paved the way for the release of Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. Mahmoud Zahar called on Hamas to take advantage of Israel's decision to release accused of having blood on their hands, such as Kuntar, who is serving multiple life sentences for murdering a Nahariya family in 1979. The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved the prisoner exchange deal with Hezbollah. Under the terms of the deal, Hezbollah will release the two Israeli soldiers it seized in July 2006, and Israel will release Kuntar, four Hezbollah militants, the remains of Lebanese civilians and several dozen Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement Israel and Hamas are currently negotiating over the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israel Defense Forces corporal captured by Palestinian militants during a cross-border raid from Gaza in June 2006. Israel has refused to release many of the prisoners Hamas is demanding as part of the exchange, on the grounds that they were involved in killing Israelis. Expectations among security prisoners in Israeli jails have been heightened as the exchange deal draws near, and particularly on the issue of Palestinian prisoners. Activists have not concealed their disappointment over reports that the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released will be very limited, and that they would be chosen by Israel alone. "If that is the case, the deal is disappointing" to say the least, one activist said. "Nevertheless, we will wait until the deal is completed before we take a position." Related articles: Hezbollah has told Israel that Ron Arad is dead Festive welcome awaits prisoners in Lebanese towns Bar-On: If we cede Kuntar, Barghouti will be next Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hezbollah's pleasure For Israelis, the release of Kuntar is a form of self-inflicted torture. 'Nasrallah will pay' Family and friends of abducted soldiers gather to mourn.   1.   A decision that might cost many victims. 13:11  |  jean Van Daem 30/06/08   2.   With the Kuntar deal Israel has... 15:23  |  Eric 30/06/08   3.   Total Capitulation: End of Story 15:56  |  Fred McCann 30/06/08   4.   The ball starts rolling! Olmert just committed another idiocy. 16:28  |  S 30/06/08   5.   Samir the Merciless Butcher 17:05  |  Yakov 30/06/08   6.   Olmert, name one positive thing you have done 17:45  |  McQueen 30/06/08   7.   BIG MISTAKE OLMERT 17:56  |  Astounded 30/06/08   8.   The Palestinian children held in israeli jails should be released 18:29  |  lakshmi 30/06/08   9.   Lakshmi 19:17  |  Jane 30/06/08   10.   Lakshami- Sex Abuse 19:45  |  Yakov 30/06/08   11.   Yakov thank you for telling a story that needed to be told 20:06  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 30/06/08   12.   Shalom Achshav and Meretz are grinning ear to ear 21:09  |  Binyamin Dissen 30/06/08   13.   Let Kuntar go back to Lebanon asap... 22:28  |  Avi Levy 30/06/08   14.   IT does? The Qassems show Israel can trust them!!. 03:00  |  PETER SM 01/07/08   15.   Militants? 16:50  |  Neil 16/07/08

Read & React PRISONER SWAP: Israel receives coffins said to hold Regev and Goldwasser Responses: 183 'We want to remember our son as he was, not as a body' Responses: 58 Bradley Burston: The pleasure Hezbollah takes in torture Responses: 138 The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel Responses: 34 Rosner's Domain Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps? Talansky threatened to use a bomb - a long time ago (WTR) The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel Attacking Iran to get the world's attention? More Headlines 16:52 Israel identifies bodies of Goldwasser and Regev, funerals set for Thursday 16:07 'We want to remember our son as he was, not as a body' 16:44 In Lebanon, red carpet laid out for convicted terrorist Samir Kuntar 16:50 IN PICTURES / How the abduction was carried out 14:57 ANALYSIS / In Lebanon, prisoner swap is Hezbollah victory 15:14 Turkish FM: Israel, Syria show will for peace, to hold 4th round of indirect talks 12:27 Another Olmert probe, another American businessman, another unpaid loan 14:54 Gerhard Conrad - the 'fair' middleman overseeing the swap 15:37 Woman, 51, gives birth to 'miracle' child 2 years after son killed in Lebanon 12:37 Saudi-sponsored interfaith meet kicks off in Spain 13:24 The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel 09:10 Report: Iran to hold large air force exercise to strengthen deterrence Previous Editions Select Day 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul

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