Hamas: Shalit mediator to start new round of talks next week

Althoough I agree totally with your views, I would like to point out that Hamas has already promised a 7 figure sum to anyone kidnapping a Jew anplace in the world.

What is a terrorist and what is a freedom fighter? When one blows up kids in a Bar Mitzva, one is definitely a terrorist of the worst and most inhumane kind. When one takes an IDF soldier as POW while being besieged, one is most likely a freedom fighter. Problem is it's the same group under the same command doing both things. Dutch and French resistance people did not go to Germany to blow up civilians and kids.It is the terrorist side of Pal resistance that still gives Israel credit in the world. If the Pals would be wise enough to denounce terrorism and fight in a more dignified way, their cause would really gain momentum in my opinion. Regards.

I pray for Mr. Shalit and his family. I pray for his release and safe return to Israel. GOD Bless the Shalit family!!!

iran is the sole master of hamas. iran wants more than even the netenyahu government is willing to give.

Before Hamas, Israel was just occupying Gaza and the West Bank since 1967. It took lots of years (20) and lots of effort by the IDF and Settlers to make things bad enough to give rise to Hamas. Gaza, however, has been occupied or under siege since 1967 without respite, not one day of freedom for Gaza.

The only problem is that the Israeli right doesn't want to think of what the Dutch and French resistance did and what pre-state prople like Begin did.

The situation Israel vs Gaza or Hamas is of a war, just war, If hamas kidnaped Shalit, an Israeli soldier, then it is justified for Israel in an act of war as it is accepted by both sides to retaliate with any action deemd as necessary without any prejudice of how or when. This is not tit for tat, the kidnaping of a Hamas individual does not mean anything of value since Hamas and their religious ideas are based in martyrdom and dead, totally oposite of Jewish religion.

As always Hamas in order to survive will lie, even after the release of Shalit. Terrorist need to be in the limelight in order to the public to be aware of their existence. without publicity they are dead. But, this time they are wrong, the world is geting fed up with their actions, just imagine Iran to kidnap and American soldier,they would nos last to long.

Both of you are right. Mark B - for propaganda purposes, the Israeli government wants everybody to think in terms of the Lindbergh baby. The don't want people thinking of the Dutch or French resistance. Philip - You, too are right. Before Hamas came into existence, though, Israel was still occupying (an act of war) Gaza and Gaza's people. That helped bring Hamas into existence. The creation of Hamas took time and lots of effort on the part of the Israeli government. It wouldn't have happened but for the oppression of occupation.

About Hamas: Israel is waging war on them since 1967 Yassin founded Hamas in 1987.Look it up

There is also a name for those making war back against a brutal and military spoken superior enemy putting siege on them: : "the resistance".

There should be no talks with hamas, none whatsoever. Instead, Israel should offer serious money (six figures) to any gazan who hands over Shalit, along with permanent safe passage out of gaza. They should also offer 50k+ to anyone who can offer concrete information about his whereabouts and whatnot so that Israel is prepared for an Entebbe style capture. This is how you turn the population against hamas and destroy hamas' standing. No smart person would negotiate with a terrorist group, have the brains of Israel's leaders gone on vacation? Oh yeah, and if hamas chooses to kill him then Israel should promise them an invasion that makes Cast Lead look like a picnic....

This little item, "...hinted at Hamas' intention to kidnap additional Israeli soldiers if Israel doesn't accept ...", shows that you are trying to 'negotiate' with nothing more than a street gang. It is a criminal organization, not a political entity.

Actually the Hamas leadership is doing Israel a favor. Yep,..you see, whilst Gilad Shalit is held hostage so are the 1.5 million Gazans in the worlds largest open prison. Both Israel and Egypt have sealed their respective borders. Now Egypt is sinking massive steel walls, that in effect will seal the tunnels. Whilst Israel is at a state of war, so does the military industrial complex grow. Hamas is a terrorist movement, no amount of talking will free Shalit, for there are no rules. Freeing Shalit will no doubt open borders, the majority of Gazans will seek freedom in the West Bank, some will eat better and some factories will reopen. Life would become bearable, Hamas will become irrelevant. Thats how Hamas sees the future, for they can only operate through oppression. Good night from civilized Swiss Alps.

if you don't want shalit back hamas has no recorse but to take more prisoners....if the prisoner exchange the situation on the ground w/an opening of rafah crossing....i assure you hamas does want its prisoners home and the crossing open

I understand the idea of not giving in to terrorists, but Israel has arranged prisoner swaps before now, which is why I thought it would be acceptable. Otherwise, I agree with you that I can't think of another way out...my sympathy to Shalit's family...

An exchange of prisoners customarily involves swapping an equal (or nearly equal) number of captured combatants or intelligence operatives. It does not mean to open the flood gates, just to repatriate ONE soldier for nearly a thousand terrorists. I know, the situation is very sad and stressing for Shalit's parents and family, but a deal as the one proposed will only set murderers free and jeopardize the safety and the life of an untold number of Israelis. Besides, it will make the kidnapping and abduction of IDF members a very desirable and profitable game for your adversaries. If you remember Entebbe - and you should - you must know that the people you are dealing with understand only the language of strength.

Just because it's hard for you to get the ear of Israel's government,you can still contact YOUR representatives to YOUR government to remind the US government of ITS responsibilities towards ISRAEL. It wouldn't do any harm to remind the US government that along with the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty it undertook to ensure by all means that Israel isn't subject to terrorism from Egypt.If the US administration had stood firm on this we may not have seen arms freely moving from Egypt to Hamas and Hamas's kidnap ransom 'negotiators' treated like respected diplomats.They should have been arrested in Egypt as the criminals that they are. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

I can only suppose that to Hamas's peculiar way of thinking their have seized the moral high ground by their refusal to accept what is essentially a ransom for their kidnap victim., When will enough be enough?You cannot negotiate with maniacs. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

Anyone who thinks that Hamas hasn't been actively trying to abduct more soldiers is kidding themselves. If they find out that they can get 1000 or more of their comrades for kidnapping an IDF soldier, they'd be crazy not to try it again. THIS IS WHY YOU DON'T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS.

The chutzpah and lack of creative thinking in the IDF and in the government is very demoralizing. A group of terrorists is holding Israel by its' throat. Now , we are talking about a mdern industrial and technological giant with sattelites in space and highly sophisticated technology , who is threatening Iran 2000 km away with strikes etc and a country that has developed missiles with pinpoint accuracy and robots and whatever a person needs. Even so, they are begging Hamas , and totally at their mercy . Doesn't the government have the ability to decide on a brazen atack one day to abduct AlZahar -Huniyeh and another bunch of top ranking terrorists - Al jabary and whoever else these devils have , in return, or come up with a viable alternative in a strip of country 5 km from the border. Doesn't it look like a joke , when they claim they will strike in Iran 2000km away , when they look like a bunch of fools, here locally ??? What r we missing- maybe leaders like Begin or true leaders,

...and some ppl still say bibi is only about easy talking...

'Hamas' told us before 'Operation Cast Lead'how their brave warriors would stop the IDF and kill thousands. Instead their brave warriors put on womens' clothes and made sure civilians were put on the roofs of buildings to prevent IDF attacks. Their big one year celebration of the Operation was met with a total rejection by the people of Gaza. They are a bluff and a group of xenophobic fanatics. Israel should not provide them with a victory by releasing to them tens of murderers.

The arab threat is designed to put fear in minds and hearts . That is what secular arabs and islamic terrorism is about . Lefties mislead westerners when lefties portray such terrorism as 'popular struggle , uprising"

but for the release of arabs assassins , arabs refuse they be deported . The same left that manipulated to expell jews from Gaza , support such arabs refusal for the deportation of arabs assassins, (refering to a supreme court verdict about a arab relatives from Shchem to be transferred to gaza for safety concerns)

Hamas is just doing what it does best.

Don't embarass Egypt. I assume you guys realize that by now.

You seem well informed if you ask Israel to accept Hamas offer.Care to share your information with us Silvienne?

Hamas is a terrorist organization and kidnapping like blowing up school buses of children is their purpose to exist and they will always commit terror and murder innocent people. This threat proves it.

George Bush, Dick Cheney and the neocons were shocked, absolutely shocked, that the Iraqis made war back when the US attacked them. And they didn't attack back the same way we thought was proper. Israel has been making war on the people in Gaza since 1967. You seem truly shocked that they make war back, but that they don't play by US or Israeli rules. Gilad Shalit was enforcing a siege when he was captured. The siege and his capture were both acts of war. Israel has killed over 2000 in Summer Rains and Cast Lead in retaliation. When you make war, there is always the chance that the other side will make war back. It is a reason to avoid war when possible and end war as soon as possible. Hamas isn't in business for Israel's convenience. Israel is making war on them and Gaza daily and has been continuously since 1967. If you don't want them to make war back, stop making war on them and negotiate a settlement. Shalit is a POW, not the Lindbergh baby.

it's unfortunate they got 2 million innocents to push in front of own skins. We need to stop dealing with these people as if dialog with kidnappers has any other market value than more bloodshed. Gilad must be returned home, and it must be done in a civilized manner. Any deal with murderers will have significant implications for Israel security. The politicians can pretend to negotiate with something that sounds "hamas" but in reality it it the murderers in Israel prison who are give a voice to subdue our justice and negate the blood they shed out of unhealthy political ambitions of a few people who have lost touch with reality. You are welcome to poke in my face this would not be the fist time. My response, knowing what similar steps led to in the past repeating those same steps is partaking in the future murder of Israelis.

George Bush, Dick Cheney and the neocons were shocked, absolutely shocked, that the Iraqis made war back when the US attacked them. And they didn't attack back the same way we thought was proper. Israel has been making war on the people in Gaza since 1967. You seem truly shocked that they make war back, but that they don't play by US or Israeli rules. Gilad Shalit was enforcing a siege when he was captured. The siege and his capture were both acts of war. Israel has killed over 2000 in Summer Rains and Cast Lead in retaliation. When you make war, there is always the chance that the other side will make war back. It is a reason to avoid war when possible and end war as soon as possible. Hamas isn't in business for Israel's convenience. Israel is making war on them and Gaza daily and has been continuously since 1967. If you don't want them to make war back, stop making war on them and negotiate a settlement. Shalit is a POW, not the Lindbergh baby.

Whether you look at Jewish law or the unstated/ stated rules of other countries, I don't see how the prisoner swap could go through. Jewish law dictates that the redemption of a captive is of the utmost importance and responsibility of the community- but not at any cost. One may not redeem a prisoner if it will lead to future kidnappings and ransoms. That is not even looking at the danger of releasing terrorists known to have gone back to terror. Many countries have a policy of not dealing with terrorists. You see it all the time. For an example of what happens when you do give in, look at the Pirates of Somalia regarding ransoms. Why stop when you know you'll get what you want. It is unreasonable to expect and hold the IDF to their committed statement of getting every soldier back. It's the sacrifice of war. The Palestinians get it. The western world does not. As for another solution, I don't have one. My prayers go out to Shalit and his family.

As long as we keep ta;king about when Gilad will be released, they will never release him. Does everyone understand this yet? Hello Haaretz and the media - DROP IT!!!!!!!!! This story is the only thing keeping Hamas in the news - until they are ready to commit some act of violence.

Your assertion about "constant humiliation of the IDF" is truly laughable and ridiculous. First, do the math about the number of attempts to kidnap and the result. Second, it is a peculiarity of the Arab world that they a crises of self image, so much so that everything is a humiliation. We Jews have better things to do than feel humiliated. We have to defend ourselves. The dilemma and tragedy here is that it is not at all clear that making a deal for Shalit increases our defence. Its an arguable point since it certainly enhances the feeling of security and indeed security of Israelies defending their fellow citizens if they know everything will be done to get them back. And we get great pleasure that this distinguishes us from the barbarians at the Gaza Gate who could care less about their own and only care about the political kudos that they would get in bringing murderers back into the Gaza pestulence.

Any kidnappings should be greeted with targeted killings of Hamas leadership abroad. Furthermore, to deter additional kidnappings, Israel must implement the death penalty for any terrorists found to have blood on their hands. With no terrorists alive in Israeli jails there will be no incentive to kidnap IDF soldiers.

will die trying to infiltrate Israel. How many attempts? How many dead trying? Is this worth it in the slightest when all that needs to be done is agree to peace and negotiate? Ridiculous, barbaric and medieval.

When a sovereign Natio deals with terrorists,it elevates their status.The only deal should be such a punishment,rthat they would not even think to hold an Israeli,military or not...They should be submited to such a pressure,that they would rush to return our MAN

And murders and rocket attacks, and any other despicable acts they think will advance their agenda.

Ask any dog trainer: Reward the dog.

Between the publicity (constant humiliation of IDF) and the payoff (1000 Palestinians for 1 Israeli) seems a far better weapon for them than rockets that could bring another Operation Cast Lead. I am not optimistic that anything positive can come of a deal for Shalit, as sad as that might sound.

Just the opposite is true. They will try to capture more soldiers G-d forbid if the swap goes through. If it fails they will see they gained nothing from it.

will be targeted.

??? You do not wage war the same way you make some scratch on the domestic front.

"The swap will only make them more brazen in their next request for prisoners to be released" Should Israel therefore leave Shalit in Gaza for another three years? Give Hamas what it wants and get Shalit back. Prisoner swap is the only way to have him returned. Operation Cast Lead showed that attacking Gaza won't get Shalit back. Another Cast Lead would more likely get him killed...

I don't understand why we would trade hundreds of terrorists to get back a soldier. If I were Netanyahu I would just give Hamas a 10-day ultimatum, that if they failed to retun Shalit, we just start leveling Gaza or start executing the terrorists in our prisons day by day until he is released. Israel is in the driver's seat. Why does it keep engaging with these crazy people on terms they set, instead of its own terms? Screw world opinion, it is already at a low anyway. I wish I could speak directly to someone in the government about this.

anyone see anything peculiar here? hamas is being honest by saying they will not expell certain people, while the israel government just keeps lying through it's teeth, i know who to beilieve, hamas.

So what else is new ?? Hamas has probably been trying to kidnap more soldiers anyway. Trouble is they cannot seem to accomplish that deed. We have been reading about negotiations now for at least 2 years. Honestly I do not believe either Israel or Hamas.

Make it clear to Hamas that the abduction of an Israeli soldier will be considered An Act of War and that an invasion of Gaza will automatically follow such an act, with devastating consequences for both Hamas and the Palestinians in general. An Act of War is what it is--Israel cannot afford to reward abductions. The price must simply be made too high.

,,, would follow if the deal goes through. What happens if you give your dog a treat when he brings back a ball?

when exactly has Hamas ever made such a promise? The swap will only make them more brazen in their next request for prisoners to be released. This, at least, has basis in previous prisoner swaps.