According to Yediot Acharonot, senior Fatah leaders fear that Israel will release Hamas terrorists, including members of the Palestinian Authority parliament, in order to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.  A deal involving the release of senior Hamas terrorists could weaken PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, they explained. 

If Hamas members of the PA are released, Fatah leaders said, the PA could end up with a Hamas majority.  The deal would also be seen as a victory for Hamas.  If Israel’s government were to release terrorists in exchange for Shalit, they said, it would need to release terrorists as a “gesture” to the PA as well, in order to downplay the Hamas “victory.”