Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday that Israel will not transfer the bodies of several terrorists to the Palestinian Authority. Among those that will not be transferred are the bodies of members of Hamas who were suicide terrorists or committed particularly severe attacks, such as the bomber who murdered 21 in the Maxim restaurant in Haifa, a bomber who murdered several in the Carmel market, and the bomber of Cafe Hillel in Jerusalem.
In addition, the bodies of terrorists from Gaza will not be returned.
Barak suspended the transfer of 84 bodies of terrorists to the PA earlier in the day, contradicting an order from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who had given the go-ahead to the transfer. Barak said the move could hurt efforts to free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
In addition, the bodies of terrorists from Gaza will not be returned.
Barak suspended the transfer of 84 bodies of terrorists to the PA earlier in the day, contradicting an order from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who had given the go-ahead to the transfer. Barak said the move could hurt efforts to free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.