Hamas Willing To Fold?
All groups in Gaza, including Hamas, would now accept a cease-fire deal with Israel which would include releasing Gilad Shalit, according to the Palestinian Agriculture Minister, who also heads the coordinating committee of Palestinian organizations there.
Ibrahim Al-Naja said the factions were ready to stop the Qassam rocket fire if Israel's ceased all military moves against the Palestinian factions in Gaza. They are also ready to release Shalit in exchange for guaranteeing the future release of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas leaders did not confirm this report on Monday, but if it is true, then this is the first time that Hamas has indicated its acceptance of the Egyptian proposal to solve the crisis.Egypt's proposal did not include an Israeli commitment to the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners, only guarantees for their future release.
Al-Naja said the Palestinian faction's conditions were that the cease-fire would be mutual and Israel would stop all its actions against the Palestinians.He also said Israel must provide clear guarantees to free veteran prisoners, minors and female prisoners incarcerated in Israel.
Simply put, if the Palestinians stop attacking, Israel has no need to target the terrorists. Eventual release of prisoners can mean when they die of old age the bodies will be sent back. This could very well mean the Palestinian terrorists have folded. If this is true, Israel just won a major victory.
Other Links to this Post
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Outside The Beltway | OTB — Tuesday, 25 July , 2006 @ 6:09 am
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Don Singleton — Tuesday, 25 July , 2006 @ 9:26 am
By Art Barie, Tuesday, 25 July , 2006 @ 12:04 am
As to the release of prisoners, it is my understanding that the palestinian prisoners are serving prison sentences imposed by Isreali courts. Once they have served their sentence, they would be released and deported to Palistinean control anyway.