Hamas vows to try to kidnap more IDF soldiers

Hamas vows.... Haven't they had enough ! Today they sometimes come out in the open & once again we hear their screeeeching from the roof-tops. Unlike the 3 weeks of Cast Lead, when they scrambled like crazy running underground,fallinh one on top of the other to get to the bottom first ! Now thet're brave. Eh! Wait till the next one. Who will they cry to this time !?

Seems that in all his ramblings, sometimes (as his post #13 shows) the truth manages to leave his lips before his Antisemitic self-censorship can contain it.

This is why you do not negotiate with terrorists It empowers these hateful, disgusting lunatics who call themselves hamas and encourages further acts of cowardice like kidnapping, rather than coming to the negotiating table and working out a deal not premiced on israels destruction And, anti-semites on this site, and you know who you are, spare me the half-baked, half-assed arguments on supposed israeli "cowardice" the comparison is sad and pathetically wrong on many levels

Be it Shalit's case or literally kidnapping scores of Palestinians by the IDF and put them in the israeli jails to rot in. Shalit's kidnapping is a cowardly and ugly act by Hamas and I very much hope that he will soon be freed and be with his family who miss him so much. This kidnap game was created during the seventies by Israel through the South Lebanese Army (SLA). Israel used SLA to kidnap several Palestinians some of whom were not even teenagers, and kept them in custody for several years, destroying lives of people, inflicting pain in the families...Going back to Shalit case, Hamas should free him immediately if they are real men, not a bunch of cowards.

in the political, historical, socilogical field what you are regularly doing, but do not play the Amateur James Bond. Both branches have enough troubles in the moment. The time of Eli Cohen and others are over ,as commando raids like Entebbe. This has nothing to do with the military ability of the IDF, it has to do with a very sensible pölitical landscape. Who bears the risk ?

Perhaps Gilad Shalit is being kept prisoner in a tunnel in Gaza. The young fellow obviously has not been in the sunshine for a long time. If Shalit is being kept in tunnel, Israel is playing 'Russian Roulette' with his life by bombing tunnels in Gaza.

Fortuna, the comment to which I responded was titled 'where is the Mossad.' My comment was about the Mossad. Shin Bet clearly has not a clue as to where Shalit is either. Nor does any of it's informants.

Quote "Encouraged by Issacharoff and "Haaretz"` mindless articles...So much for the sanity of the editors and intelligence of contributors like Issacharoff" . Foreign and Israeli dhimmedias are used as propaganda tools to encourage dhimmitude , extortions and terror against the Jewish State of Israel , The same goes for the U.N Godlstone prefabricated report . Such is the world deceit to sacrifice Israel for the 'peace' idolatry as promoted by the Arab League thru the Saudi scam called 'initiative' . The same anti Jewish State attitude is manipulated by Egypt-Iran with regards to the deceit calling to monitor Israel 'nuclear' site. Meanwhile , based on the video , the kidnapped soldier Shalit is not healthy and 'decay' in captivity . german mediation bring results, but P.A Hamas is forging some set of circumstances to also collect prefabricated political gains . That is the disgusting price and time-delay when dealing with the idolatry of and for evil .

In June 2006, the IDF arrested 100 members of Hamas including elected members of parliament.

"If only Olmert had taken the original offer to trade him for 250 women and children held in prison by Israel. Then this issue would not have festered for three years, and Hamas wouldn`t still be `triumphant`."- Lincoln This oft-repeated claim of Lincoln's is a bald-faced lie. There was a demand for the release of 250 female prisoners in exchange for INFORMATION of Gilad Shalit, not his release. Funny that the exact same lies and deception are being played out by the exact same people. I haven't been on this board for months and its the same old same old.

Who demands ransom for a sign of life ONLY Kidnappers and murderers target Meshal and Haniyeh if they threaten further kidnapping note NOT a single Arab leader , nor Amnesty Intenational, Human Rights Watch, UN Human Rights Council,Red Cross has anything to say

in the Golan heights.You have no right to be there. Oh please don,t give that real estate deal in the sky. Get off that occupied Land

"Occupation is a bad thing. It corrupts both parties. And until it ends, both parties will continue committing their travesties against each other." MV Is that really our Morris V ????. I do hope so.

Some of the 20 women wo were released will take the place of those W..... that abode in the dark clouds over Gaza. Changing of the guards !

Well said.

Maureen let us for a moment discuss this as a moral issue. On one hand you point out that Abbas is a poor soul who has lost out to Hamas. Are you certain? On one hand one can judge this latest news and the power-play of Pal politics by the viewing the release of twenty women prisoners as a victory! Fine. On the otherhand, a subject which may actually be more important to the mother's of Palestine than Politiks, is that the West Bank under Abbas' leadership did not see themselves bombed to smithereens! The question becomes, what is more important to the average Palestinian, Hamas victory and the return of twnety prisoners, or the safety of their children? In your case it is obviously the alpha-male chest beating that wins the day for you, rather than the actual plight of children, under a regime (Hamas) that does not value their lives. As usual.

In discussing this latest grizzly dealing, the question came up, "do they really want these women back?" it is an important question. Sure the pictures show alot of happy people kissing and hugging, but it must be remembered that these women did not wander off on their own to blow themselves up. I cannot imagine a family giving their daughter over to Hamas, without some willingness on the part of the family. for example, a woman may have brought disrepect to the family, or she was a bit wild etc. etc. There are many reasons for women being tossed out of the hamoolah herd. Now they are back, how will the families really receive them? We will probably never know. The media is not curious enough to find out.

Hamas are winning the propaganda war no matter how much 'spin' is put on this exchange by the right wing, they have found the weak link in Israel's armour, the only solution is a professional army not conscripts. Otherwise Israel will bow to public will and release hundreds of prisoners again and again to get a 'son' home. With a professional army you sign up, get paid well and know the risks..

I would like to speak to you.Please contact me at margieintelaviv@gmail.com about CIF

It is the PA that is afraid to take the next step, They will be expected to have a real grown up country that can perform for itself. They will lose a lot of the financial support that they get by being the official Arab opposition to the one Jewish state in the world. Can you blame them?

Hamas's vowing to ''kidnap'' more israeli militants is a natural course in a STATE OF WAR. Israel, the occupying and militarily superior, entity has not showed the palestinian's it's willingness to solve issues RELEVANT to the '' peace process'' and so-called Road Map, but instead carried on settlement building. What were you expecting of the palestinians; white flags?? the palestinian people have been under occupation for 61 years and haven't given up on their rights and never well. It would be clever for Israel to brush off some of it's unjustified high ego and implement PRAGMATISM. Am Palestine Chai

We welcome our incarcerated sisters on this blessed day in a deal between the Israeli enemy and the victorious Hamas battalions," Haniyeh said. "This is an amazing accomplishment to the Palestinians who captured Shalit," he added, saying it was "a great triumph to the resistance." What accomplishment? What "victory"? 20 women released, most of whom were near the end of their sentences anyway. And this is a "great triumph?" It is to laugh. Ha ha ha

Palestinian, Israeli or otherwise, has anything negative to say about this call to break international and humanitarian laws. They have demonstrated over the years that they don't care, but where is Amnesty Intenational, Human Rights Watch, B'Tzelem, UN Human Rights Council. And where are the Richard Goldstones of the world? Is the committing of such crimes against Jews permited in the opinion of these people and the members of these organizations...? P.S. perhaps Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu or Mary Robinson can provide an opionion; but perhaps they really don't care...

It has locked itself out of the normal and become only an enemy. If this imprisonment of Gilad Schalit is a victory, how sad a state they are in. Who could ever really work with them, or trust them. Now that they choose the way of Islam let them fund themselves like all States that choose the path of war and glory. Refugees no more, there home is Gaza.

now we can expect that as soon as the deal to free shalit goes through; the idf will increase its quota for "administrative detentions". and more hapless palestinians will be rounded up for being in the wrong place when the idf swoops in, and detained without charges, lawyers, trials, or seeing their families, for months or years.

If Judea and Samaria are to become ethnically pure Jewish Departments of Israel what happens to the Palestinians? This is the question which Israel, and especially those elements in Israel which most wish that outcome refuse to address. There is a simple reason. If Arabs are to be expunged in the name of Jewish 'natural expansion' then what was Hitler talking about when he saw the need to eliminate Jews so that Germans would have 'living room'? Either Israel gets honest with itself about what it wants, or it will suffer for it. It may not suffer in horrific terms, but it will suffer for eschewing everything that it once deemed decent. It will have exchanged decency for land.

As long as Israel occupies Palestine then Palestinians will want freedom. Israel could make Palestine part of Israel, but if all Palestinians became Israeli citizens it would be demographic suicide for the 'Jewish State.' So Palestine can NEVER be part of Israel. Thus, why should ANY Palestinian simply submit to domination? Because they are treated so well? Israel has chosen to make Palestine part of Israel by means of occupation. And thus ISRAEL has decided to endure endless opposition. There is no other people at fault. The ONLY fault of the Palestinians is that they do not wish to be oppressed. Ok. So Israel wishes to dominate, and to eventually force Palestinians from their homes. What sane bunch of people can blame the Palestinians for opposing oppression and eventual extermination? Israel needs to get real. I mean GET REAL! If Judea and Samaria are to become ethnically pure Jewish Departments of Israel than the Palestinians have to be removed. And no people would go.

"So there`s no point to do a Shalit deal!" - Mark Klein, M.D, Why don't you do the brave thing Mark? Exchange yourself for the kid you are willing to condemn to death or worse? I see. Gilad Shalit is just a thing to be thrown away while you seek riches in Oakland. I got it. I have you. You are not brave enough to exchange yourself for Gilad. And you are so 'brave' as to condemn him to death. Gutsy guy you are Mark Klein M.D. Do you patients know how mercenary and ruthless you are? Would you be happy to have them know you would gladly sacrifice Gilad Shalit for your personal 'convictions'? Do you have any real convictions? Aside, I ask, those that would sacrifice Gilad Shalit for effect? Would you want you as a physician? Hi doc, am I worth saving, or should I be sacrificed for your opinion?

"progressive" and "enlightened" world is silent. Jimmy Carter has nothing to say. Desmond Tutu is not to be seen or heard. Mary Robinson appears to care less. Richard Goldstone is attempting to cleanse his name, soiled by his latest report, among the members of the Jewish community worldwide. The UN Human Rights Council and the International Red Cross don't have much to contribute since their job as they perceive them is to sling mud and blacken Israel's name and reputation instead of caring for the human rights of all. And here perhaps one finds the problem: Hamas calls to violate the human rights of Jews and, it appears, either Jews don't deserve to have such rights according to the people and institutions mentioned, or worse, Jews are not human. How else to explain the fact that the International Red Cross is yet to visit, once, Gilad Shalit after more than three years in captivity? How else to understand Goldstone total refusal to deal with Shalit's "finding of facts"?

"But there are real problems - perhaps even greater ones - with the manner Palestinian prisoners are treated by Israel." - Morris Valentine I wish Gilad Shalit had been subject to the same difficulties as those released for his video. If the sentence for 'attempted murder' (Israel's exaggeration, not mine) is less than two years, then what should the sentence for sleeping on duty be? If Gilad Shalit had been a prisoner of a nation with a code of laws and justice, he would probably have been released months ago, if not years. "Occupation is a bad thing. It corrupts both parties. And until it ends, both parties will continue committing their travesties against each other." - Morris Valentine Agreed, but Israel alone has control of the Occupation and israel alone bears the responsibility for all the evils that ensue. Gilad Shalit is the prisoner of ruthless men on both sides. Israel and Palestine are prisoners of ruthless men on both sides. So it is.

The January fighting should have collared a hundred armed Gazans to trade for Shalit. That can still be done. It should not be too hard to occasionally infiltrate the place and arrest and bring back one or two known Hamas members at a time. In the course of a year that should give Israel scores of Palestinian Shalits to offer in exchange. If they refuse, the snatching can continue. They have thousands of militants. All of them can't remain hidden and protected 24/7. Hamas needs to be made to pay a price. They consider themselves at war with Israel. That is how they justify holding Shalit. Two can play that game.

"I would be appropriate in the name of self-defense for Israel to target for direct action Meshal and possibly Haniyeh" - Jon I Do you think they would have lived a minute in the last 10 years if Israel could have gotten them in it's cross hairs? Get real man.

The Mossad is active inside Israel (counterintelligence) and outside Israel (gathering intelligence). The Palestinian territories are not operated by the Mossad, but by the Shin Bet.

Because their husbands dies during December-2008 and January-2009 war and they are free to marry again. They need more women, to make more babies, to get more attention from UN and European organizations and humanitarian support. NOTE: BRITISH GAVE AHWAZ REGION TO IRAN WHEN THEY DIVIDED MIDDLE EAST AND PUT BOARDERS, AT THAT TIME 95% OF THE PEOPLE LIVED IN AHWAZ WERE ARABIAN.

Hamas' vow to kidnap more Israeli soldiers, and calling the Shalit video 'a triumph of the armed struggle', show the inhumanity of Hamas' leadership. But there are real problems - perhaps even greater ones - with the manner Palestinian prisoners are treated by Israel. Were they adequately defended by counsel? Was counsel provided if it could not be afforded? Was due process followed? Are the prisoners' conditions humane? (Too often, the answers are No. No. No. and No.) Such miscarriages of justice are derived from the applications of military occupation, military law, and military trials in military courts. Occupation is a bad thing. It corrupts both parties. And until it ends, both parties will continue committing their travesties against each other. MV

I would be appropriate in the name of self-defense for Israel to target for direct action Meshal and possibly Haniyeh if they threaten further kidnappings (Meshal)or glorify (Meshal and Haniyeh) taking IDF or Israeli citizens hostage.

One of the prisoners was single and impregnated before she was captured. I wonder if her brothers have murdered her yet for the honour of the family. She was better off in an Israeli prison!

How civilized of Hamas to organize a victory celebration. To declare they'll kidnap more Shalit's. Enlightened people aren't they.... seeking peace. Yeah.... a light onto civilized society. Let's all jump up and down, screaming their honor and morality. Don't know about anybody else, but videos like these only originate from Al-Zawahiri and Al-Qaeda. Also a noble organization recognized all across the globe. And who demands ransom for a sign of life. Kidnappers and murderers... no-one else.

Twenty women released for a video - what a slam dunk. Hamas should change their name to Hamas Sapiens, the newest species to grace our gentle praries. A truly great battle plan from a man of vision and daring, Haniyeh the masterful.

Without an explicit guarantee from Hamas of no further kidnapping Israel should not make any deal involving a prisoner exchange to gain Shalit's release.

Are you also very impressed by the murderous thugs that make up hamas and its pathetic leadership? May I remind you that liars make good propagandists..just look at Russia and the former Nazi run Germany...they were great at propaganda even took it to levels previously unheard of but look at where they are now...the same place that the palestinians will be....underground and detested.

and call it an arrest just like the zionist do...as for uniforms hamas has the black ski mask :)...the difference of course is the zionist kidnapp victums for resisting and illegal occupation....which negates any legal athority

The Mossad, like the US intel services, has become too politicized to perform competently.

The people in Gaza are living in ruin and poverty and this is thw great victory for Hamas? I think not.Hamas had a great chance to make something out of Gaza when Israel withdrew from Gaza. Tho many on this forum think Israel have not withdrawn, they withdrew people. The pals should have used this as a starting block for real peace, iso responding with rockets.

Abbas thinks he and his party can prevent the spread of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, yet he came away from the recent meeting with Obama and Netanyahu, with nothing!

But I must admit, it was one of the "better ones" that I have seen here over the past 3 years....:)

Israel should capture Meshaal for kidnapping and murder. Why should this thug continue kidnapping Israelis with impunity?

Why is Israel not trading Meshal for Shalit? Did the best spy agency in the world forget how to do their job?

Mashaal pushing for Cast Lead The Sequel

As long as Israel continues to cave in to terrorists; trading convicted murderers for corpses and now a video for trained suicide bombers; the terrorists are wise to capitalize on this policy!

'Roo', even the article you cite claims all other prisoners do gain RC access. Children are often in prisons with their mothers round the world - what else would you do with them? 1391 is disturbing and if true a serious fault (just as Gitmo has been), but the article is vague on important detail.

in the near future for the Ex-Incarcelated Woman Martyrs for Allah team from the Gaza Strip. There will be 20 members.

Israel has flexed its muscles (or something) all at the expense of Abbas--while giving into Hamas. It is pitiful. Meanwhile, Abbas has worked on security and gave in on Goldstone. Time for Israel to give something--and taking down a roadblock isn't it--time to freeze settlements for the sake of peace. Israel is not keeping most of them anyway.

When does it all stop?

Enough is enough . It's time to play their game that they Hamas only understands .The Israeli army must kidnap Ismail Haniyeh or his wife or a few Hamas leaders. Only then will they wake up to reality. They are a sick nation with no cure insight.

Its interesting how the 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are reported as "arrested" while the one Israeli in Palestinian hands was "kidnapped." How can Palestinians in the WB be arrested by the Israelis, if the PA "controls" the WB (as reported in western media)?

Israel should have achieved the same deterrence with Hamas as it did with Hezbollah, because obviously Hezbollah hasnt threatened to kidnap a soldier nor provoked Israel even once since the 2006 war. But Hamas on the other hand, thinks its on a roll, threatening to kidnap more soldiers, shooting kassam rockets, etc...

No one can visit Gilad and PALs makes demands to show that he is still alive. I say israel should do the same. If anyone wants to know if someone is still alive in an israeli jail then the PALs need to give israel 20 more people to jail in exchange. How is PALs terrorists blackmail acceptable to the UN, but fight terror is considered a crime against humanity.

Thanks for your post. So refreshing to read someone who is knowledgeable.

sure the object is to take prisoners from the illegal imoral occupation force....or do you think the resistence should just kill them?

I am someone who has lived in the Middle East, particularly in Palestinian refugee communities in Lebanon and Palestine (including Gaza) for quite a few years. The Palestinians of Gaza are the same like people elsewhere. Gazans, like all Palestinians, are welcoming. Parents love their children and those resisting the Israeli occupation are held in high esteem, especially the prisoners held in the jails of the occupier. That's why everything is done to free them. Mea, Froy is spot on. The Palestinians have very few chips to bargain with and they use them well: to free Palestinian prisoners, including all the children and the many hundreds held in administrative detention. I hope young Shalit will be free soon, but also the thousands of Palestinian prisoners whose only 'crime' is that they resist a cruel occupation, one that I am witnessing on the ground year in year out.

Not the "Zionist Entity" ? Is that the seed of a recognition, Ismail ? I'm impressed, good step! Many Israelis recognize Palestine as well.

Michael You are Blind as a Bat, Abbas does what he sees as good for his people, And for working with Israel to clamp down terrorism, Abbas gets a more peaceful society, and Israel in return removed, and continuously removes checkpoints, This all gets the Palestinian economy flourishing! Go and see Ramallah for example! And do ask Gideon how did he missed this! P/S As you are so concerned for convicted criminals in jail roaming the Palestinian streets, Israel released hundreds of Palestinians jailed prisoners as gesture to Abbas on several occasions during the time Shalit has been held as hostage in Gaza by Hamas!

It always needs to for blackmail. Israel is a real "banana republic"! The govenrment (where is it?) should actually forget Fatah, who just want money for their luxury, and make peace with Hamas. this will mean a 3 states solutions, which de facto alread exists already. Some "friends" will not like it, because they will not be able to muddle the waters and have their interests first. Israel must learn to live and act for itself.

and donors will dry up like the desert.

Such actions should bring extreme action re Hamas prisoners. It is high time that Hamas face the music.

How many Palestinians will die, and how much additional suffering will the Palestinian people endure because these yahoos capture another hostage?

assuring Hamas release terrorists for Shalit is only matter of time. The same "Haaretz" in the 30ies had found Hitler palatable and better than his reputation . So much for the sanity of the editors and intelligence of contributors like Issacharoff

and another, and another, and another... if they dare to kidnap another israeli soldier, israel should arrest 1000 random palestinians, then only release them in exchange for the captured soldier. next time, 2000, and so on until they realize that this is not a means to an end, except their own.

Dont forget the short-term long-term factors. Israel will always be blamed for the Gaza wars and Hamas will always be remembered for releasing Palestinian prisoners. In few years there are going to be many other wars and Hamas will emerge stronger from them. Remember Hezbollah started from a position of disadvantage as well. Like some wise guy said- a journey of thousand miles starts with the first step. Or economically speaking, the cost of production of first few units are always higher,,,

"HAMAS` decision to hold fast has resulted in costs of 2 Israeli incursions, a total of approximately 1,500 dead, the destruction of their economy, and continued Israeli pressure for the four years Shalit has been held hostage." What are you talking about. The siege of Gaza began before Hamas even won the election. It deepened after.It worsened further after the Fatah coup was foiled. The killing of 1500 in Cast Lead certainly had no connection to the capture of Shalit. In fact, without Shalit the situation in Gaza would not alter one iota, with the exception that dozens of Hamas legislators, kidnapped in response to the kidnap of Shalit might not have been kidnapped. With Shalit in Hamas hands, maybe, just maybe Israel will release several hundred Hamas prisoners in due course. Something that otherwise would certainly never happen. Whether you loath Hamas or not, it makes no sense to distort reality to suit your narrative. Especially to such ridiculous extremes.

and celebrated by useful idiots worldwide !

Your skewed 'arithmetic' is meaningless to those prisoners who are with their loved ones and to the wonderful parents of Shalit who got to take a glimpse of their son. I admire Noam Shalit for his tireless efforts for his son's release. I hope I'd become half of the father that he seems to be. Congratulations everyone.

Only a terrorist would see keeping his people in abject poverty year after year as any kind of triumph.

As with the old classroom models of Price determines volume... if we exclude all other inputs. HAMAS' decision to hold fast has resulted in costs of 2 Israeli incursions, a total of approximately 1,500 dead, the destruction of their economy, and continued Israeli pressure for the four years Shalit has been held hostage. If this is considered a "Triumph", then I would hate to see what HAMAS would view as a failure.

treating physician.

They were found to commit war crimes. Israel should apprehend some of them - Haniye and nonHanye- and send them to the Court they recognize. Even better- they may have find the justice in Israeli courts - they crimes are against Israel. Goldstone should be on the witness stand.

of their own people. If they did, they would exchange one-for-one as is the norm in the world, but the value of 20 people for them equals two minutes of tape. That's it.

First of all, Israel has dozens of children locked up in their prisons. Secondly many of their prisoners never face trial. Thirdly, Israel routinely blackmails its prisoners so as to make informants out of them. They threaten to arrest their family members if they do not co operate. Fourthly Israel has unofficial 'secret' prisons where no visitors ever get close, including Red Cross and Red Crescent. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=331637&contrassID=2&subContrassID=14&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y Now you are ready to leave kindergarten.

"Twenty adult women are equal in their eyes to...a video tape! This is how much their value their people." - Eitan Hamas got quite a deal. Twenty live women for on video. Your position is quite irrational. Or would you rather they got fourty? Israel has 'paid' twenty prisoners for one video. This is 8% of what they originally demanded for Shalit. The awful truth is that this whole thing has played out well for Hamas. Too well, and the longer it goes on the better for Hamas.

First of all, Israel has dozens of children locked up in their prisons. Secondly many of their prisoners never face trial. Thirdly, Israel routinely blackmails its prisoners so as to make informants out of them. They threaten to arrest their family members if they do not co operate. Fourthly Israel has unofficial 'secret' prisons where no visitors ever get close, including Red Cross and Red Crescent. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=331637&contrassID=2&subContrassID=14&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y Now you are ready to leave kindergarten.

Hamas, crowing about a 'triumph'. If only Olmert had taken the original offer to trade him for 250 women and children held in prison by Israel. Then this issue would not have festered for three years, and Hamas wouldn't still be 'triumphant'. Democracies are ALWAYS susceptible to hostage taking. Ronald Reagan said he would never negotiate with terrorists, but he ended up trading arms for hostages. Shalit, Regev and Goldwasser were all taken hostage at a time where there were sever discipline lapses on the part of IDF troops. Since then no one has been careless enough to be abducted. Israel has a decision to make which must be made. Is Shalit to be redeemed or not? If so do it. If not . . . then say so. Hamas got away with something that shouldn't have worked. There were lapses by the men on watch, and there has been serial cowardice by leaders since. The problem with the IDF seems to have been fixed. What about the cowardice by leaders who will not lead?

Have you ever been to the middle east? I seriously doubt it. Your armchair analysis glorifies the companyspeak of thugs, who themselves wouldn't descirbe themselves as anything so noble. Hamas self congradulates each time they perform any act--in fact, this ape was declaring Hamas was winning the Gaza war AS he was hiding among women inside a hospital. But here you are, like so many screwball leftists, going to all the touble to be on a Jewish/Israeli paper spewing Hamas' company line. It is dupes like you who really hold captive the hopes of Arabs wishing to be free of their real captors, Hamas. Time and time again, I see that the real stumbling block to peace is the western idiots who have never stepped foot in the ME.

nineteen of the arab women freed were from the west bank . they were near the end of their sentence anyway none of them had blood on their hands israel is saved the cost of feeding and housing them their families knew where were and how they were and were permitted visits and medical care and probably education too if you saw the video material they look very plump and healthy they will go home to do the same thing as previously. nobody won; nobody lost except the Shalit family and Israel. We are so happy that he is alive

if their giving Israel is a triumph what is a failure? shows how little success they have in life Poor things

'Channel 10 reported that Hamas activists had said they were barred by Palestinian security forces from participating in celebrations taking place in the Fatah-controlled West Bank.' Many Israelis constantly berate the Palestinians collectively as terrorists who miss no opportunity to attack Israel and the PA as a bunch of corrupt clowns who couldn't run a state. Both propaganda claims are increasingly being shown to be false. Internal security in the parts of the West Bank controlled by the PA is now very good, thanks largely to Gen Dayton's new Presidential Guard. A heap of criminal gang members and militant Islamists are behind bars. Abbas and Fayad are making good progress on security, the economy and domestic issues, despite the corrosive effects of the Israeli occupation. Indeed, the most lawless people in the West Bank, who disobey planning laws, steal land, beat up civilians and set fire to property, are the Jewish settlers. Jewish propaganda ain't working.

Let the world see how the Red Cross, who has remained silent at not being allowed to see Gilad, has been bussing Palestinian families to visit prisoners in Israeli prisons. Let the world contemplate the mothers who were brainwashed into abandoning their children to attempt to become suicide bombers. And let the world watch how they return home to be heralded as heroines. Let the world listen while these women and the people who send these women on such missions are called freedom fighters. Let the world scoff at Israel for having to bargain for information about Gilad that according to the Geneva convention, should have been given in the first place, but was not. Then let the world observe the noble Shalit family in their endless fight to have their sone back. We will see who the world respects and draw our conclusions.

Isn't it the so-called "armed struggle" what got these people into jail in the first place?

I spoke of the temerity of the Jews to think that they are worth more than others. Hamas has proven me wrong. Appears Hamas has proven the Jews are worth more. Imagine...just one VIDEO of a Jew is worth 20 Arabs. Appears my whole premise of my existence is a lie -)

If one would register all claims of triumphs, victories.One would find out,that the Arabs never lost,and they have won hundreds of wars,and conflicts.Triumph monoments in Cairo,Damescus,Baghdad,Amman,and Beirut. Yet no one crys more than them about their loses

the balance, nearly all charged with attempted murder, only 1 of the 20 need to recommit in future to counter the action, it's a huge gamble.

"We welcome our incarcerated sisters on this blessed day in a deal between the Israeli enemy and the victorious Hamas battalions". "Victorious battalions"? Making "deals"? HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!

this claim of victory is not just against Israel, but an attempt to legitimize their position as the true representative of the Palestinians. Certainly they will use this and future negotiations leading up to their elections against Fatah.

This is all very one-sided. Gilad has not been released for these 20 women prisoners, I don`t understand how the Israelis could agree to this! They are probably so desperate to know if he is alive and well that they agreed. How despicable that hamas won`t allow any access to Gilad by Red Cross etc. The Israelis are more humane and allow the Palestinian prsoners access to family etc.

No, Eitan, that is precisely how little Israel values the Palestinian lives. They have given proof of that time and again. Hamas is just trying to free as many of their people as possible with the few bargaining chips they have. I'd say they're doing a great job.

All those endless message from the West and from Israel to the Pals that violence isn't the way to Pal freedom. Yet what happens? Abbas does what he's told and works hard to produce a peaceful Pal society and clamp down on terrorism. Result: nothing. Israel blankly refuses to freeze settlements even though it's a road map obligation, and Obama adds to the humiliation by forcing Abbas to shake hands with Netanyahu anyway and retract, or 'delay' the PA's support of Goldstone. By contrast, Hamas work hard to develop a terrorist network and find violent ways of resisting Israel. Result: freed Palestinian women and no doubt more freed Palestnians on the way eventually. Violence doesn't pay, we tell the Pals. Doesn't it? Peace sure doesn't seem to.

No you're wrong. This proves Hamas uses EVERYTHING at its disposal to win the PR side of the war. We all know Hamas and Palestinians are militarily disadvantaged. i'm actually very impressed with the tactics that Hamas uses!!!

most of the woman had come close to the end of their sentance, none had blood on their hands, most on charges of attempted murder (the kind we are very familiar with certain Arab women). It was at greatest a good humanitarian gesture with cost little, nothing like a "triumph" Hamas likes to flaunt (to them everything is such). The video is a far better triumph for Israel, yet it is a pity that a lone soldier is kept alone imprison without any of the rights Palestinians get in Israel prisons (pursueing a degree is one luxury) . Sad that Hamas finds it such so victorious.

...a video tape! This is how much their value their people.

Something doesn`t add up here at all.

The little banana republic in Gaza celebrates its "victory" getting powerful Israel to exchange female prisoners for a video and Haaretz writes headlines.