Israel, Hamas Reportedly Reach Deal to Free Soldier Gilad Shalit
- Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:19pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
- Print »
- Email »
JERUSALEM (The Blaze/AP) — Israel’s prime minister says a captured Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants will be home in the “coming days” after a prisoner exchange was agreed on.
Benjamin Netanyahu said late Tuesday that a deal with Hamas was initialed last Thursday and signed earlier Tuesday.
The deal would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many convicted in deadly attacks on Israelis, in exchange for Sgt. Gilad Shalit.
Netanyahu said in a televised address that he understands the pain of Israeli families who have lost loved ones to Palestinian violence. But he said he got “the best deal we could get” given the turmoil in the region.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
JERUSALEM (The Blaze/AP) – Israeli and Hamas have reached a deal to free a captured Israeli soldier held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, officials from both sides said Tuesday, capping five years of painful negotiations that have repeatedly collapsed in fingerpointing and violence.
The deal would bring home Sgt. Gilad Shalit, who was captured in a cross-border raid in June 2006 by Palestinian militants who burrowed into Israel and dragged him into Gaza. Little has been known about his fate since then.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, convened an urgent meeting Tuesday night with his Cabinet to approve the deal, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition pending a formal announcement. Hamas officials and media outlets also confirmed the deal.
The agreement would exchange Shhalit, 25, for around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel had previously balked at Hamas’ demands because some of the prisoners are serving lengthy sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis.
Other sticking points in the past have been whether prisoners would be allowed to return home to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, or be sent into exile instead. Exact details of the deal were not immediately available.
A Hamas delegation led by a top Hamas official, Mahmoud Zahar, arrived in Cairo Monday night from the group’s headquarters in Syria. The deal would be implemented within days, said Ezzat Rishq, a Hamas official in the delegation.
Shalit’s plight has captured the attention of Israel, where military service is mandatory for Jewish citizens, and people identify with the Shalit family’s pain.
Hamas has allowed no access to Shalit, and released only a brief audio recording and a videotaped statement early in his five years in captivity.
The soldier’s father, Noam, has become a well-known public figure through a a campaign to win his son’s freedom, leading demonstrations and sleeping in a tent outside Netanyahu’s residence.
Dozens of Israelis converged on the tent late Tuesday to offer support to the family. The tiny structure is decorated with pictures of Shalit, as well as a large sign with the number 1,934, the number of days he has been in captivity.
Shalit’s parents sat in the tent, smiling as people flooded to the area and cars honked horns in excitement.
Likewise, the plight of Palestinian prisoners is deeply emotional among Palestinians. Virtually every Palestinian has a relative who has served time in an Israeli prison, and Palestinians routinely hold large demonstrations where they hold up posters of their imprisoned loved ones.
Announcement of the deal coincided with a hunger strike launched by hundreds of Palestinian prisoners seeking better conditions. The prisoners had been demanding the restoration of key privileges, such as having Arabic TV channels and being allowed to take university course, which have been systematically stripped since Shalit’s captured.
It was unknown whether the leader of the hunger strike, Ahmed Saadat, or the most prominent prisoner, Marwan Barghouti, would be included in the deal.
Saadat was convicted of planning the assassination of an Israeli Cabinet minister in 2001. Barghouti was the top local commander of Fatah, the movement of President Mahmoud Abbas, when he was arrested in 2002 and convicted of a role in deadly attacks against Israelis. He is serving multiple life terms.
Neither Saadat nor Barghouti belongs to Hamas, but Hamas is eager to portray itself as representing all Palestinians. The Islamic militant group is in a bitter rivalry with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is enjoying a burst of popularity after defying Israel and the U.S. and seeking membership for the Palestinians at the U.N.
Salah Bardawil, a top Hamas official in Gaza, said the revolution in neighboring Egypt had also helped fuel a deal. He said the new regime “undertook tireless efforts” to broker an agreement.
“Israel began to feel trust in the Egyptian side … and we put all our trust in the new Egyptian leadership as a trusted mediator,” he said. “The changes in the region have forced the timing on all of us.”
The Palestinians have been divided between rival governments, Abbas‘ Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas’ regime in Gaza, since Hamas overran the coastal strip in 2007.
The exchange would include Amina Mona, a young woman who lured a lovestruck Israeli teenage boy to a Palestinian city over the Internet, only to have him killed by waiting militants, according to Mohammed al-Barem, a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees, one of the groups that captured Shalit. He gave no other names, but said it included 300 prisoners serving life sentences.
Israeli groups representing the families of people killed by Palestinian militants have objected to a prisoner swap, saying it would be too painful to allow their children’s murderers to go free.
Netanyahu is eager for a domestic boost. The Israeli leader has faced growing criticism for a deadlock in peace efforts with the Palestinians, as well as a series of domestic protests over the country’s steep cost of living. Bringing Shalit home is sure to make Netanyahu a hero.
German and Egyptian mediators tried to broker deals between Israel and Hamas over the past five years. Those talks have repeatedly broke down, and Israel has carried out a number of military strikes and also imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, partly to pressure Hamas over the case of the soldier.
Comments (43)
Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 697 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 530 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 356 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 355 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 347 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 347 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 356 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 270 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 347 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
TemayElbor
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:42amI wonder why Israel agreed to this kind of exchange…could be because the Israeli soldier is still alive and that this is the best time to have this exchange before the situation in the region gets worst, adding more danger to the soldier’s life.
Another reason could that their jails are so full of Palestinian soldiers, too much burden on the economy, so Israel let them go.
Another reason could be that Israel wants to appease Hamas hoping to prevent further attacks by this terror group.
IS THERE ANY COMMENT FROM OBAMA REGARDING THIS EXCHANGE?
Report Post »shalom37135
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:44pm1 of G-d’s chosen Army on earth for 1000 walking swine/pigs, OK nothing better than looking down the scope of an M-4 rifle and watching a pig’s guts spill all over Gaza…………..get ready IDF your about to get more targets
Report Post »christianforisrael
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:20pmRose-Ellen, or should i say Mohammed? Jesus Christ loves you and is waiting to forgive you! Please read the Bible and accept your Saviour. God loves you and sent his son to die on a cross for you, even though you defend the enemies of His people.
Report Post »christianforisrael
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:16pmI am disapointed with this news, that poor soldier has been tortured and abused for five years and will most likely be returned in a casket. Does anyone else remember the last time Israel traded killers for soldiers? Israel gave away hundreds of killers for two soldiers in caskets. Pray for Israel
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:30amEveryone freaking out about Israel and the Middle East really need to look at a bigger picture.
War and why Ron Paul won Values Summit Poll
Report Post »ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS ONE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSGzmj2iX7s
flatbroke
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:10pmEverytime Israel makes these deals they get dead soldiers in return, i would want proof he is alive first, if not then, i would say FU, and return 1000 dead palistinians.
Report Post »theonefromabove
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 8:34pmIs this good news? I am confused.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:39amWow! israelis are releasing a thousand palestinians who you call terrorists! That leaves you american zionist gulls holding the bag. I love it! It’s not so easy to control the world is it Fox.For all your genocidal anti-arab propaganda machine -you didn’t prevent this concession to the palestinian cause.The israelis pulled the rug right out from under you on this one!
Report Post »AVW
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:53pmas long as the arabs knows 1 jew is worth 1000 of them.
Report Post »Crusty Thong
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:32pmThey need to track the Palestinian pukes they set free & if they come near the border, blow them away. It’s called pest control.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:03pmI am happy for Gilead! But how old is he now 60? and freeing more of the hamas punks just gives the IDF more to shoot at.
Report Post »searcher
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 5:02pmactually;
That would be 1 Israeli = 1,000 sand flea’s
Not to worry, the State of Israel won’t have to feed and clothe them. They will instead be on the recieving end of the IDF.
Like the ref stated to Hamas. ‘you will, you will recieve a beating’
Israel won the toss and Hamas is about to feel the pain.
Report Post »searcher
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:58pmso that settles that
1 Israeli is equal to 200 sand flea’s
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:30pmCan you feel the love?
Report Post »Whitehouse Mouse
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:51pmNow that’s what I call real math. One Jew is equal to hundreds of Muslims.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:19pmI’m so glad this young man is to be released, just sorry that the Hamas savages will be released in exchange.
Report Post »With any luck and the intervention of God maybe some day soon our own Bowe Bergdahl will be released from his captors in Afganistan. Please pray for Bowe.
momrules
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:24pmI should have stated Our own POW Army Specialist Bowe Bergdahl.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:03pmi am sure the IDF will be rounding up the released palestinians soon, given their propensity for violence against Israeli families. maybe this time the IDF will just kill them so they can’t be used as bargaining chips.
Report Post »knighttemplar999
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:02pmThey should teach the Israeli soldiers to commit suicide if captured to avoid situations like this.
Report Post »wzanesdad
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:52pmI think the exchange rate is a little low. One isreali is worth several thousand palestinians.
Report Post »marvlus
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:46pmThis plays right into the hands of Hamas. This encourages them to capture Israelis and hold them prisoners for trading later.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:54pmHamas is the legitimate representative of the palestinian resistence and this israeli soldier could have been released years ago if the israelis had done the right thing all along-go back to the 67 borders-Jerusalem should be the captal of a palestinian state.Short of that have one state with equal rights for all and the right of return for those displaced in the 67 war. easy as one two three. the problem is the zionist racists insist on a jewish majority state!Good they’ve relented and made a deal with hamas-the defenders of the palestinians [from unjust tyranical israeli subjugation and occupation].
Report Post »knighttemplar999
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:05pmPalestinians are animals they should be slaughtered like hogs at the slaughterhouse.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:06pm@ rose-ellen
Report Post »you are spouting left wing cr@p. israel is a legitimate state. hamas is a terror organization.
True American66
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:18pmRose-Ellen
Report Post »Hamas is nothing more than a Terrorist organization. Jerusalem belongs to the Jewish people. Israel will never return to the ‘67 borders, nor should they. The Palestians burrowed under the border to capture this Israeli and with that action only continued to prove they are not upstanding people. Nothing short of the death of ever Jew and “infidel” will satisfy their bloodlust. They are a ruthless, depraived, hatefilled people and should search out a loving God instead of their murderous, trecherous, violence-inciting one.
Yama
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:19pmRose-Ellen, you are an interesting individual. Are you able to free-form thoughts of your own, or just parrot those of your handlers? I understand that it is difficult to find actual facts about the creation of Israel and the history of attacks on it by Arab and Muslim factions, but please do at least a cursory search for factual information before you blather on about how wonderful the terrorists are and how horrible the Israelis are. It is tiresome.
Report Post »dutchy
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 6:06am@rose, crawl back under the rock you came from, you don’t have the brains to understand what is truth and what are lies!
Report Post »OklahomaMike
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:18pmRose-Ellen’s comments are, of course, more ideological than reasonable or factual. Just one example: Israel has never insisted that no Arabs could live in Israel; if they were to do this, the world would explode in accusations and recriminations against Israel. But Israel doesn’t even want to do this. The Palestineans, on the other hand, even recently have insisted that no Jews will be allowed to live in their new country, Palestine. Indeed, Palestinians will imprison or kill one of their own who is caught selling–in free commerce–any land to Jews. Jews are not allowed on “Arab land.” It’s so obvious to any fair-minded observer.
Some people have an emotional need for a mission, to feel passionately devoted to a cause–apparently irrespective of the cause’s justice or honesty or nobility. ‘Sort of like the mobs of confused youth and vagrants in the “Occupy Wall Street” gatherings. The sad thing is that people like Rose-Ellen truly believe they are fighting a noble battle for the Truth. Ah, the human mind…
Report Post »ppeltonen
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:46pmThis is great news!
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 10:23amIt is great news and it shows how the palestinian struggle is legitimate.
Report Post »ScreaminEagle
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:44pmIsrael values a single life, very telling. I hope all goes well. Godspeed Sgt. Gilad Shalit.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:34amIf israel valued human life they wouldn’t be bringing american jews from bklyn with their babies to live in stolen palestinian lands. These settlers were living good in the USA and only their stubborn need to steal arabs’ land compel them to to risk their lives and the lives of their children to do so. The arabs are in their homelands naturally and justifyably defending themselves by whatever means they have from zionist thiefs and racist interlopers!.The zionist interlopers are the irrational ones ,not the arabs!
grudgywoof
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:43pmI wonder what they have done to that poor mans mind. Palastinians are lying pigs and they will be lucky if they get him back in one peice. I hope he gets home.
Report Post »DEADFACEBOOK
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:40pm1 for 1000
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:48pmThey would do the same for Israel, wats the problem?
Report Post »DEADFACEBOOK
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:39pm1 jew for a thousand palestinians… whats the exchange rate over there?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:47pmValue!
Report Post »Buckeyemom1776
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:37pmI am glad that the young man may be released but how many will die by the hands of the 1000 prisoners let go?
Report Post »OklahomaMike
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:25pmI agree with you. Furthermore, what about those who already died at the hands of the thousand prisoners and terrorists to be released? Additionally, it just teaches the Palestinians to continue trying to kidnap Israelis so they can win the lottery and get a legal jail-break of a thousand bad guys for each Israeli they capture. It’s a very poor deal. Giving in to blackmail or wildly inflated ransom demands only invites more such behavior.
Report Post »carolinaconservative
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:24pmdoesn’t anyone spell check anymore? solider/soldier.
Report Post »Buckeyemom1776
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:35pmThe Blaze should really hire someone to spell check their typo errors.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:49pmSo wat ?
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:11pmIsrael in cohoots with a terrorist organization? it’s not so easy to take over the world america.The reality on the ground trumps the americans dictatorial policies on the world.Once again the peoples resistence movement comes to recue it’s people. Kudos to the defenders of the people!
Report Post »