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Palestinian prisoners released in a previous deal.
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| By israelinsider staff January 1, 2007 |
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Reports are emerging that Israel and the terror group Hamas are close to reaching a prisoner 'exchange' deal for the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
The exchange would include the release of Shalit, who was abducted from his guard post near the Gaza border in June of 2006, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The Israeli government said on Army Radio that it would be prepared to give up not more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas, however, reportedly wants about 1,400 prisoners freed and is demanding that it be able to choose which prisoners are released.
Although Israel says, as it has in past prisoner exchange deals, that it will not release Palestinian terrorists who are responsible for murdering Israelis, there is talk that Tanzim terror leader Marwan Barghouti could be released as a part of the deal.
Barghouti is convicted of murder, including the slaying of a Greek Orthodox monk, and is currently serving five consecutive life sentences for his crimes. In addition to being leader of the Tanzim terror group and founder of the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade -- a violent armed wing of Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party --, Barghouti has become a symbol for Palestinians of jihad against Israel.
Although Hamas officials are declaring that there has been a major breakthrough in an Egypt-brokered deal, Israeli officials are claiming ignorance, saying they have heard nothing about such a deal.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, however, was quoted by the London-based newspaper, Al-Hayat, as saying that "the deal is ready."
Noam Shalit, the father of the captured Israeli soldier, told reporters that, "None of it is true," and that this is not the first time he has heard reports that his son's release was secure. |
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