Families of Palestinian prisoners celebrate their return following Shalit video deal
Hamas, Fatah briefly set aside rivalry to throw welcome home parties for prisoners released Friday.
By Reuters and Haaretz Service Tags: Gilad Shalit Hamas Fatah Israel newsPalestinians on Friday celebrated the a
One prisoner, the only one released to Gaza, brought home a 20-month-old boy born in prison.
Hundreds of people waving the green Hamas flag, the black banners of Islamic Jihad and Palestinian national colors joined a vehicle convoy as it entered Gaza City, sirens blaring.
The baby was snatched from Fatima al-Zaq's arms in a media frenzy and borne overhead to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who held him up wailing in front of the crowd.
"We feel wonderful," said her husband Mohammed, a member of Islamic Jihad. "People are celebrating with us, from all factions ... the prisoners' release unites us."
There were also welcome parties in the West Bank, run by Hamas's rival Fatah, as the factions briefly set aside their struggle for control of the Palestinian national movement.
President Mahmoud Abbas, of Fatah, greeted the women with flowers. And in Gaza, Haniyeh told the crowd welcoming Fatima and Youssef al-Zaq: "I see the Palestinian people today united behind this step."
He said he hoped the swap would be "a step on the way to freeing our men and women prisoners from occupation jails (and) a step toward Palestinian reconciliation."
Many Palestinians have relatives or friends among the more than 10,000 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel; and many Israeli families whose sons and daughters serve in the conscript army identify readily with Shalit's parents.
Shalit served in a tank unit and was captured when Hamas gunmen tunneled into Israel from Gaza and killed two of his fellow soldiers. Two attackers were also killed.
Shalit's parents had until now had received only a few letters and an audio tape from their son, who has not been allowed Red Cross visits. They have campaigned unrelentingly for his freedom but made no statement on Friday.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Jewish suicide bombers were attacking the Germans before being imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto, they were firing rockets from the Ghetto. Meanwhile the Arabs in Gaza are bing slaughtered by the tens of thousands, being shipped by railcars to slaughter camps. Are these the connections you wish to make?
There was a baby born in prison. How do the Israelis deal with that legasy? Kinda like the Warsaw uprising , right? Ohh, thats right, one cannot make connection to WWII...oops My Bad.
They would now be requesting that Noam Shalit and his wife be reunited with their own son. But I don't expect that this will happen.
Only the coldest of hearts could not understand the joy of families reunited. I hope we may see Noam embrace his son sometime soon.
"The baby was snatched from Fatima al-Zaq's arms in a media frenzy and borne overhead to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who held him up wailing in front of the crowd." Poor little guy! Only 20 months old! He was probably scared to death being passed around by the excited crowd! I hope Haniyeh cuddled him well after holding him up to display him! Give him back to his mama, you beast! LOOL and a belated congrats to his momma and daddy! And wlecome home, Fatima!
We'll liberate Al-Quds!!! Palestine from the River to the Sea!!!! Yalla!!!"