Hamas official: No exile for prisoners freed in Shalit swap

If the Israeli establishment would have the resolve to do the following, then taking Israeli soldiers hostage would not pay: For each day that Shalit is held, one Pal prisoner disappears. The more days, the more disappear. He would be released within a week or two with this aproach.

"there are NO civilians in gaza" What a load of rubbish you write! BTW, the Palestinians are as likely to "wipe Israel off the map" as you are to become president...

Elona, there are NO civilians in gaza...hamas hides among the consenting population in regular clothes, uses mosques to store weapons(ya, they really care about mohammed), use ambulances to run weapons and terrorists, uses children placed on roofs to shelter the homes below which have fighters and weapons hidden in them, they vow publicly to wipe Israel off the map, they indoctrinate 3 yr olds to hate Jews and kill Jews, they were given gaza back and rather than cultivate food in greenhouses left to them, they destroyed them and impoverished their OWN people in order to make more weapons. How can you justify this UNLESS of course, you just blindly hate Jews and can?t stand that Israel is moral and strong. You live in Toronto I see...if say some native Indian tribe were suicide bombing your cities and rocketing Toronto from the sanctuaries of their reservations, what would you do?

sam, blowing up innocent kids in a disco isn't a 'warrior', or people on a bus, or people at a wedding...IF the pals didnt resort to such barbaric acts for the last 60 yrs like hijackings, murdering olympic athletes, taking over cruiseliners, inventing suicide belts, launching rockets into legitimate sovereign nations, using their own people as shields and mosques as weapons depots, ambulances to run weapons and terrorists, if they didn't resort to these tactics to try to achieve a country, maybe then israel would not have to respond?...but arabs never think of that...nooooo..you're only too happy to have your children killed as collateral damage for the cameras...tell me sam, why was the PLO formed in 1964? 3 full yrs BEFORE any 'occupation'? What were they trying to liberate? there are no 72 virgins waiting for you sam..it's a lie...you lie to your children and you lie to yourselves. and btw , trained israeli pilots sometimes don't fire because your sick people place kids in the way

and get Shalit back in place of him?

Hamas is a fool Israel is trying to do them a favor exile them to safety rather than allow the forces of Abbas and so the P A to arest them possibly even torture them if they are released in the West Bank now a P A fortress where Hamas is not allowed but of course Hamas refuses to see that Israel bargains fairly not like Abbas does RIGHT ??? Thank You... M. S.

It seems to me, that Israel, by continuing to attempt to pacify her critics by hitting softly and negotiating with the terrorists, is just training them. Giving them the opportunity to practice their guerrilla warfare tactics. Thus enabling them and watching countless Israeli lives go down the tube. Maybe it is time for Israel to consider the 'final solution' for the terrorists. Hit them hard... so hard that if they even dream they had a confrontation with Israel they would apologize. And continue to hit them ferociously everytime they lob a bomb into Israel or set off an IED, or send their kids into a mall wired for bang. They will learn or they will be extinguished from the gene pool. Their choice. Come on Israel and grow some balls. Kick ass.

How can you call the 1st a WAR? If HAMAS really smuggled weapons in as you charge they would've used them. After all, it has been proven that they had nowhere to hide nor did or could they have dressed as women as the more idiotic among you charge. HAMAS are not Terrorists - they are normal citizens who when attacked become Resistance Fighters to defend homes & loved ones & now the world know this. So you want to commit another Massacre, after the last! Why did Israel even bomb Gaza when they knew Shalit was there & claimed that they knew where everyone in Gaza was from their technology? They did not care for Shalit then & do not now. HAMAS tried before the last massacre to bargain with Israel and since. Israel has always scuttled the deal. If HAMAS captured more IDF I guess they would have more to exchange.

Do the people using this letter page realize that Israel was founded by terrorists, as for kidnapping soldiers in uniform, at least HAMAS has not hung Shalit from an Orange tree and booby trapped his body as the Jewish terrorists did, even though one of the murdered soldiers had a jewish mother

and every Palestinian prisoner too. All or nothing. That's fair.

If the orc-like Hamasniks kidnap five soldiers next time, how many murderers would Israel have to release back into the volatile WB or Gaza to get their soldiers back? Remembering the old adage "A few bad apples can spoil the barrel", I consider it madness to release these thugs anywhere, and more especially back to their old terrorist stomping grounds. If they must be released (NOT!), send them where their friends can take good care of them: Spain, England, Sweden, or better yet to their self-professed brothers-in-arms and co-religionaries in Algeria, Libya, or you name it.

Because that seems like a fair deal to me. In fact, unlike most, if not all, the Palestinian prisoners, Lieberman wasn't even born in Israel/Palestine.

If they sent these released terrorists to Londonistan, it wouldn't be sending them into exile; they would just be moving to another part of the caliphate.

Also issue the Shamgar report's findings on policy changes regarding kidnapped Israelis.

"Shalit`s hands are not soaked in Palestinian blood" - Allang The kid never saw combat and never drove over any Palestinians on his way to the beach. Such taddle Allang.

Some Germans actually believed Hitler when he told them that Poland had attacked Germany. Some people will believe anything. Some will even believe that Hamas sank the deal. Hamas needs some good news more than Netanyahu right now.

out of his dilemma... pity that it's poor Shalit that is being bandied around...

Shalit was captured, not kidnapped, Israel is at war.Why is it when israel kidnap Palestinians,it's always referred to as capture.Keep in mind, Israel has arrested hundred of Palestinians and many of the leaders without charges. So in this case,these men are kidnapped by Israel,but of course israelis refer to them as capture. Unfortunately for Shalit, every member of any army is train to kill,Shalit was there to kill,not on a humanitarian mission.So therefore, he was captured by Hamas, not kidnapped.

Do you HONESTLY think Hamas would EVER send its leaders to the Hague to be tried for the war crimes they are guilty of???? Hamas, who tosses Fatah supporters off roofs of Gaza, who murders Christian Arabs at wedding celebrations, who along with Egypt forces Gaza Arabs to remain imprisoned in Gaza while Egypt, a huge Arab nation, can easily absorb and save them, just as tiny Israel saved thousands of Jews kicked out of Egypt? Never mind Hamas's explicitly written goal for the destruction of Israel! What the heck have you been smoking????

Gilad Shalit is a political prisoner. He was abducted from Israeli territory not because he planned or executed suicide bombings. He was kidnaped because he wore an military uniform. No legal entity in Gaza convicted Gilad of any crime... Gilad's hands are not soaked in Palestinian blood. His captivity is a way for Hamas to punish the Israelis... collectively. Let's call it like it really is... there's no need to overlook the real truth. Yes... there's a need to resolve the conflict. But exchanging Palestinians convicted of crimes against civilians for a political prisoner like Gilad Shalit... makes a mockery of every legal process going forward.

i think that its time to release shailt to his family. He have the right to be freed to freedom and his family. I believe also that the palestine have the rights like each citizen in this country. Free shailt is the answer to begin peace

Of course! But blaming Hamas won;t save Netanyahu. Netanyahu simply cannot handle this one and come out smelling like roses. If he deals with Hamas, he is a traitor to his people. If he doesn't deal with Hamas, he is an inhuman beast for sacrificing Shalit. Caught between a rock and a hard place, his only hope is to take Shalit back by stealth and force. C'mon Mossad! The ball is in your court now. Save the PM!

"Veteran thinkers" such as Esther and sh can never dare see this truth, lest it upset both their agenda and lesbian-like machismo of never being able to admit that they are simply WRONG.

I wish Gilad health and proper treatment..but he should not be exchanged for any murderers...not even one. It is a poor policy and should be halted right now. if people start to listen to a guy like lincoln, who lives on stolen genocidally ethnically cleansed land, who ALWAYS is against ANYTHING israel does, it will blind you from the real sides of a given issue. Lincoln is a jew hater, plain and simple. All you have to do is read his body of posts on haaretz and you will see what he is.

The rabid Israeli right wing, and the loony religious lot come out in force to try and stop it, judging by the posts here. (That a religion justifies so much hatred and violence is frankly not a great reflection on modern Judaism). Well done to Esther of Tel Aviv who sees through the wacko rubbish into reality.

"The original `price` demanded for Shalit was a few hundred women and children.." Goes to show how clueless you are about this situation. If that were the case Shalit would be home already. The price was always high and included hardcore terrorists. Not sure where you get your pseudo information. Eating all that redneck pork and steak down there is skewing your brain.

Simon is right Tony. He isn't the one that needs to wake up. The Jews are God's chosen people wether you want to believe it or not. Someday you will know the truth and perhaps it will be to late to do you any good. Hopefully not.

would Israel send Olmert and IDF top generals to the Hague for war crimes if Hamas did the same with it's leader? there is no such thing as a "phoney" human rights supporters, I am sure that if the situation was reversed, Mrs.Durson would still feel the same way.

Because not only might they kill more Israelis but they may very well kill more Palestinians. Isn't that what Hamas does to Fatah members they take a disliking to. Or Do the Palestinians not murder each other?

Cipora, I did not suggest which policy Israel adopt, or what the criteria should be. All I did was suggest that the current practice has been a muddle, and a failure. The current non-policy leads to just exactly the situation we now see. The original 'price' demanded for Shalit was a few hundred women and children. As time has gone on, the price has risen. Yet the pressure on the government (if we may call it that) to respond has also risen. A bad situation for everyone, especially the Shalit family. You need not have a snit over everything Cipora.

Bibi is the man he has always been.

The Israeli government has made it clear that they will not allow any of the expelled terrorists to be sent to the West Bank.Their options are Gaza or other countries abroad. Their presence in the West Bank would be a security risk considering the close proximity to Israel. This was the explanation given by Israeli officials. Makes sense not to mention the rare calm and tranquility that is prevailing in the West Bank. Who wants these thugs in their midst.

"Honestly, S#9, will you feel "better protected" ... if Shalit rots in jail forever...?" and "There is so much `blood-on-hands`, both Pal and Israeli..." (Esther) What a rotten way to ask a question! And what a rotten way to equate Hamasniks and Israelis! Surely, you meant to ask me if I would feel better protected if the Hamas murderers rot in jail, not Shalit, Right? But this is what happens to you and those who defend the indefensible: you turn phrases, as well as truth, around, 180 degrees...maybe the reader won't notice... And now to answer the proper question: I, for myself, don't give a damn. But for those I love, you included, absolutely yes. They will feel safer if Hamasnik terrorists stay in jail as condemned.

Israel doesn't have to agree to mass swop to exchange hundreds or thousands of security detainees every time Hamas manages to snatch an Israeli citizen or soldier. Hamas needs to learn to take prisoners without killing them or using them hostages. Given Hamas' recent affirmations of its objective to destroy Israel, this kind of exchange will only lead to more war and more prisoners and more demands to give Hamas operatives get-out-of-jail-free cards every time they are captured. Enough is enough.

It would be wonderful if it would be possible to rescue Shalit -though there are risks ,too. But -do those who would try, do they know where Shalit is? If so, I think they had tried already earlier...

all 2 sides prisoners must be at home by Xmas! yes Shalit, but 'the others' are prisoners too... You know what I'm talking about... inxallah!!

chosen of what? do you believe in childish"fairy tales" as chosen People and promissed land ideas of dark ages? We live in the 21st.century.Wake up!

The general's milk toast sentimentality about Shalit is very distressing. Hamas was emboldened to make unreasonable demands because it didn't fear a military rescue. Better the risk of Shalit being injured or killed in a rescue attempt than hundreds of citizens die at hands of released terrorists. At this point all negotiations should cease so the IDF can bide its time until a rescue opportunity presents itself plus tighten the economic screws in Gaza. Shameful and embarrassing to Israelis and world Jewry Hamas thugs are leading us around by the nose.

"..as well as the latter's desire to see Shalit returned home alive and well." It might not be in the interest of Hamas to hold on to Shalit after Christmas. It is only a fool who would risk holding God's chosen any longer. Cover our sins with your love and remember your words ,that wrong we have done oh LORD wipe it out before your Son's Birthday and let Shalit come home, a request. Let what you told Balaam be true for your servant Israel now and forever more. Amen.

Shalit was stationed in a defensive post on the Israeli side of the border that was attacked by Hamas - Shalit had not attacked any Palestinians nor does Durson have any proof of this. However, there is ample proof and self-admission from Hamas that the people who are to be expelled did indeed carry out massive terror attacks directed against Israeli civilians. Durson should be insisting that these Hamas criminals immediately be put on trial in the Hague for war crimes. Or perhaps she's just another phony "human rights" supporter who supports war crimes against Israel?

The issue is not about economic conditions. It is "putting an end for an ugly Israeli occupation to Palestinian land", it is about protecting human dignity of Palestinians and freedom. Nothing less than this. If anyone thinks that PA or Fateh will accept anything less than what Hamas is asking for, he doesn't know anything. All Palestinians agree that there is no peace with this Isreali government.

A the old Jewish folk singer, Jewda Maccabi once said "You don't mess with the Israelites"

Israel used to have a death penalty anywhere in the world to those with blood in their hands, example are the Munich terrorists. If Shalit is released, that penalty is yet applicable?

When Hamas captures an IDF man, any deal for his release should include expulsion outside Israel. This is the only way to guarantee that the person will not engage in killing Palestinian civilians in the future. It should always be remembered that the IDF kills far more civilians than Hamas and all of the Palestinian militants combined. Israels refusal to assign responsibility when their men kill civilians makes expulsion the only way forward.

My Arab friends in the West Bank are against any of the prisoners coming to their towns. They are hard working doctors, teachers, business people and have real lives as opposed to the Gazans who have only Hamas and politics. All of the violent offenders should be sent to Gaza or other countries willing to take them. I am sure the UK will take some and probably Sweden as well. They can live out their lives as honored "freedom fighters" in those places. According to my friend - their return will harm enormous progress made in the West Bank and set it back to the bad old days. People there just want to live good lives and raise their children to go to college and not become jihadis. Her son might end up coming here for college to become a third generation dentist and I would be thrilled to be his adopted family.

There were conflicting reports some said Hamas wanted the wimin and children others said they wanted all 12000 prisnors. none the less Israel attacked Gaza killing about 492 Pals. they also bombed the power station cutting off electricity to most of the Gaza strip. Arguably Israel raised the price for the release of their captured soldier

Nekuda. All the other stuff about ethics is a mask for face-saving. If you want something with all your heart you stick your neck out for it. Not something Barak's too good at, judging by performance to date. To those who say murderers should never be allowed out of prison to kill again, I ask you to look at how many murderers are walking free around you whenever you go out shopping or take your kids to school. There's no time or call for sanctimoniousness now. You will regret it later.

... that if the Almighty were to judge us, we would all sit in purgatory together forever...

Iran will most certainly use Hezbollah, not only in Lebanon but also wherever they are throughout the world, for Hezbollah is far more effective than even Al Qaeda. I agree that Syria will not get involved. Good day.

and it must never be ! It is an international world problem against the ugly face of terrorism ! Tomorrow when the Nuclear Bomb will be in the hands of the terrorists the world will be treated the same way as the terrorists Hamas are doing now ! Shalit is not a lesson for Israel but a lesson for the world to see the future. care for its future. Gaza must be fought and dumped by an army from all the nations of the free world. Gaza is an urgent business to be done ! More serious & urgent that Afghanistan. Those who are ruling Gaza must be warn & very urgently !

... if Shalit rots in jail forever...?

... would do well to put themselves in Pal shoes for just one moment... ... they too are battling an enemy, populated with so-called "murderers"... ... this depends on ones vantage point, or the extent of ones bigotry... ... so are we all going to be mired-down in this fallacious "murderer" dead-lock forever ...?!

Just out of curiosity, when you say liberate Gaza from Hamas and free Gazans...who do you exactly mean by freeing Gazans?

all is good, except one thing. Is there any way your folks could elect slightly less crazy people and release Schalit? That would make possible things no war can bring about. And until your side starts shooting those puny rockets we are kind of eager to wait in the hope the miracle may happen. I know, there is a risk to you. And Wall Street isn't particularly receptive to moves that can make oil market more stable than they need. But the benefits were somewhat clear for the past 60 years... the ball is always in your park guys. I can promise only one thing. If the impossible is come to pass and things will get better between us, the proverbial will hit the fan so bad, it will be harder than during Cast Lead. Meshal, Nasrallah, they all will be dead if not in 24 hours, than 25. For they are held with their lives for fulfilling the tasks.

It is national suicide to give away known murderers in exchange for any soldier. Gilad is great but we can't release known murderers

What is going on? Shalit is a tragedy, but Iran is on the verge of nuclear weapons. That needs to be the focus of Israel right now, the whole country is in danger. National security is the issue. If Israel continues to focus on one prisoner of war, it's enemies will kidnap more and more soldiers knowing that Israel will give in to their demands.

Reading KAHAN'sresponse (7) and his opinion about liberation of Gaza , i became very sure that the end of zionists existence in palestine will come soon.

There is no military combatant in this region who does not have blood on his hands. There is no military combatant in Israel who was not once considered a terrorist by someone. There is an underlying issue here that HAS to be tackled. It has been chloroformed time and time again for 42 years at a conservative estimate and longer than that if you want to go back to the creation of our State. Hamas is being negotiated with now on Gilad Shalit, it will have to be negotiated with in the future, not necessarily as sole representative of the Palestinians, but as part of their representation, to examine and solve the problem once and for all. These are undeniable facts, to which we have contributed much.

finally a clear, rational statement. the release of a huge number of killers for one soldiers is insane. those that were released in the past returned to commit more murder.

How can God of Israel Bless such poor decision-making ...to release 1,000 murders? David & Solomon would go in & destroy the enemy like God told Joshua to do.... take the Promised Land... your inheritance... Yeshua said to love the enemy...for love covers a multitude of sin...those who live by the sword will die by the sword... TRUE but that only helps an obedient to God-Israel, not a backslidden, disobedient Israel... God Yeshua help US I Pray in Jesus name.... With Much Love O Israel My heart grieves....grieves ...

Dont play into the hands of Hamas, there are other ways of tackeling the problem, which has already been explained- To release prisioners with blood on there hands will be the biggest mistake of any Government.(here or abroad)do what has to be done the smart way- and heed good advice.

...Kuntar was the last mistake. And he was only one...not a hundred. Shalit was and is a soldier. His job was, AND REMAINS, to protect Israeli civilians, not endanger them!

the price for shalit is the same as in 2006.

The true refugees of Gaza are not Arabs but Jews. They had their homes wrenched from their families and were turned into displaced refugees. In place of the beautiful fields, green houses, and homes came Hamas terrorist with rockets to murder innocent Israelis and they still continue terror till this moment. We must start cast lead 2 with no less than 60,000 reservist called up and 100,000 soldiers involved for two weeks and we can free the Gazans from Hamas and liberate Gaza for all. Jews can finally return home and rebuild. Amen.

yes, israel must develop a policy for the return israeli captives. however, this policy must be based on israel's national security interests and her own ethics. such a policy needs to be publicised as soon as possible. such policy cannot be allowed to be hijacked by individuals or pressure groops. nor can such policy be dictated by foreign interests.

Either captives should be redeemed immediately, or the policy - an immutable policy - must be that they are NEVER redeemed. If Gilad Shalit had been redeemed for the ORIGINAL demands of Hamas, the price would have been 250 women and children. Because Israel chose to launch Summer Rains the price went up. After Cast Lead the price is excruciating. Lesson: Make a deal early, the price will only go up. And IF Israel choses to NEVER make ANY deal to redeem ANY Israeli citizen, then ISRAEL must be willing to NEVER violate that decision. Tough choices. One is easier than the other. It will be very hard for ANY Israeli PM to tell the parents of a captive that they will never see their child again. And so I suspect that Israel would better make a deal quick. Olmert chose to invade Gaza - and it was a fiasco. Later he chose to launch Cast Lead and the cost of redeeming Shalit increased exponentially. The Israeli right turned a quick deal into a national crisis.

Ahmet, you wonder what the first war was for. It was to stop the "puny" rockets. And it did. And those "puny" rockets can kill and maim, and have many times. Often children, since the rockets are arranged around the children's schedule. How's that for a war crime?

It seems to me that if we end up attacking Iran to prevent them from acquiring the nuclear bomb, it will cause an immediate reaction involving potentially Syria, Hizbollah and Hamas. So even if we do not attack them, we will have to run a defensive war. Obviously it will be a very dangerous situation for Israel to be attacked by 4 enemies using rockets of various range and fire power. However it will be an opportunity to destroy Hamas and Hizbollah. I think Syria will not intervene directly, because of lack of air force.

I think Israel and Israel's own intelligence looking for information to arrive at a Shalit deal without a contract

Here we go again, more talk of war by right wing fanatics that have hijacked the Israeli government. Then they will make up some excuse. Schalit wasnt released or more puny rockets were fired whatever whatever. If Israel wants peace, then topple Hamas with your mighty army and install the PA and then there should be no excuse to continue the blockade. Give them economic peace and Hamas will not grow strong again in the long run. Talking about a second war on Gaza make you ask what the First one was for in the first place?