IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit
IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit

Senior Fatah official Kadoura Farres told a gathering in Tel Aviv on Wednesday that IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit, held by Hamas terrorists since June 2006, is "alive and well." However, Farres also made it clear that the PA sees Cpl. Shalit as a prisoner of war, not as a hostage kidnapped while "at the beach."

Farres therefore linked Shalit's release to a release of "thousands of Palestinian prisoners" in Israeli jails. He did not elaborate on Shalit's condition or indicate his whereabouts, though he said he has discussed the issue of the kidnapped IDF soldier with Damascus-based Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal.

The Fatah official and former Palestinian Authority minister made his comments in response to a question following a speech he delivered to a gathering of supporters of the Geneva Initiative. The Geneva Initiative is a private PA-Israeli land-for-peace proposal initiated by MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz-Yahad).  The Wednesday evening meeting included diplomats, Knesset Members and Minister of Housing Meir Sheetrit (Kadima).

Farres said that Hamas was willing to give the Fatah chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, the freedom to negotiate with Israel regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state and the mass migration of those Arabs defined as "refugees" into Israel.  However, the principles of the new unity government being formed in the PA do not include full recognition of Israel.

Wednesday's Geneva Initiative conference focused on the Saudi Arabian initiative, which calls for Israe

Renewed civil-war violence in Gaza and other PA-controlled areas is feared if the talks do not succeed.

l's total withdrawal from Judea, Samaria and the Golan, in exchange for full recognition from the Arab world.  The conference also dealt with the political fallout of last week's Mecca Agreement between Fatah and Hamas. The two terrorist groups have been violently vying for power in the Palestinian Authority.

Housing Minister Sheetrit, speaking at the conference, said that Israel should open negotiations on parts of the Saudi peace initiative.  Attempting to explain why, Sheetrit said that Saudi Arabia is interested in distancing itself from Iran and Islamic extremists.

Abbas and Haniye were scheduled to meet this afternoon (Thursday) in Gaza to discuss the stalled implementation of the Mecca Agreement and a unity government between their two terrorist organizations.  Renewed civil-war violence in Gaza and other PA-controlled areas is feared if the talks do not succeed.  At issue are questions such as who will be the PA interior minister, and the future of Fatah-strongman Muhammed Dahlan.