Sources: Progress on Shalit is real, but not all reports accurate
Israeli media reports on negotiations for release of abducted soldier are limited by heavy military censorship.
By Amos Harel Tags: Gilad Shalit Hamas Israel news IDFWhile Israeli media reports on negotiations for the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit are limited by almost draconian military censorship, media outlets around the world have been reporting progress in the talks.
A Palestinian daily reported Thursday that Israel had agreed to a deal in principle, and the American television network Fox reported that Hamas is expected to deliver an alternative list of 70 prisoners to replace the 70 convicted mass murderers - out of a total of 450 serious offenders whose release Hamas had demanded - that Israel has refused to free as part of a deal. Nonetheless, only some of the details reported in the foreign media are accurate.
According to the daily, Al-Manar, the German mediator involved in the negotiations recently spent a week in Israel and met with both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hagai Hadas, Israel's chief negotiator on the issue. The paper also said the prime minister has agreed to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, the indirect talks are continuing, with the participation of Hadas, the German mediator, Egyptian intelligence officers and Hamas.
Industry and Trade Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer told the daily Maariv Thursday that he "hopes the matter is approaching an end. There is an agreement on a certain formula. In three months, I hope, we will see Gilad back home."
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Gilad Shalit holding a Palestinian newspaper in a video released by Hamas in October. |
| Photo by: (Reuters) |
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" A question please..what makes you think that Gilad Shalit is alive?" - Connie The government of Israel says it is satisfied he is alive. There was a video of him released recently. "Mistakes have been made by the Israeli government by giving up prisioners for dead Israeli`s..." - Connie The swap for the bones of Goldwasser and Regev did not take place UNTIL the government was certain they were dead. "Hopefully Netanyahu will not make the same mistake." - Connie Netanyahu is just as ruthless in his use of Shalit for gain as Hamas. The constant leaks of imminent release need not be going on Connie. Each one is a torment to his family. They do not deserve to be tormented by politically motivated leaks about an 'imminent release' which never comes.
You can release some prisoners after you get him to make sure he is alive and in good condition perhaps. 200 before and 200 after, something like that. How did you free the Israeli drug dealer from Hezbollah (I forgot his name)? Why can't you imitate the same thing here? Probaly the best way is to mass execute all Hamas and other terrorist prisoner/hostages unless they free your soldier. Like a 100 terrorists who have killed people an hour. This will increase pressure on Hamas to release him.
Mark Lincoln you are getting more hateful with every post. A question please..what makes you think that Gilad Shalit is alive? Do you have a pipe line into Iran or directly connected to hamas's filthy headquarters? Mistakes have been made by the Israeli government by giving up prisioners for dead Israeli's...Hopefully Netanyahu will not make the same mistake. You might like seeing Israel degrade itself by handing back murderers for dead men but most of us despise it. By the way it is a shame that the name Lincoln is wasted on you.
Unlike Goldwasser and Regev, Gilad Shalit continues to embarrass his government. He refuses to die and thus make himself worthy of redemption. If he would only be so graceful as to die, his bones would quickly be returned to his parents with all the State Obsequies and honors required of a dead hero. So long as he lives, he is an embarrassment to Israel and a bone in the throat of Bibi Netanyahu. Cast Lead failed to kill him. Will another attack be necessary? Or will Gilad Shalit show his patriotism and support for Benjamin Netanyahu by dying? One thing is certain. Bibi Netanyahu will never, ever, save a soldier of Israel if it risks a single vote.
Yeah, sure. Just keep torturing the Shalit family for headlines. Netanyahu will never free Shalit because it would hurt his career.
Hamas will keep on changing their demands while Israel hopes they're finally going to release Shalit