Israel has strongly contradicted a statement made Friday by Hamas terrorist leader Ismail Haniyeh that arms smuggling is not included as part of the temporary ceasefire deal brokered by Egyptian mediators last week.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev told Israel National News Saturday night, "The understandings with the Egyptians specifically state that there will be no hostile fire from any group into Israel, and there will be an end to the arms smuggling and the arms buildup."
"Anyone who says otherwise is either unfamiliar with the understandings or deliberately trying to undermine them," he said.
Haniyeh boasted to worshippers at a Gaza City mosque that Israel "wanted to force Hamas to stop what they call the smuggling of contraband across land and sea borders. They also said that [kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad] Shalit must be part of the truce deal. But we have not agreed to these demands because they are unjust and go beyond the capabilities of this government."
Thursday, Israel withdrew troops from Gaza and halted all counterterrorism operations in the region in exchange for an end to mortar and rocket attacks on Israeli communities emanating from the area.
In addition, Israel agreed to reopen the Gaza crossings within three days of the start of the ceasefire – if it held.
On Sunday, traffic at the Sufa Crossing is expected to increase by some 30 percent and working hours at the conveyor belt at the Karni Crossing will be extended from three to six days a week. Fuel has been pumped through the Nahal Oz Crossing and Gaza residents who receive security clearance will continue to pass through the Erez Crossing into pre-1967 Israel for medical treatment.
The one exception is the crossing at Rafiah, which straddles the border with Egypt and is an international gateway. Israel is determined to keep the Rafiah Crossing closed until Shalit is freed.
Initially, Israel insisted that Hamas release kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit in exchange for opening any of the crossings. Jerusalem backed down, however, when Hamas categorically refused to allow the issue of Shalit's release to enter the equation.
Instead, Egyptian mediators promised talks over the captive soldier's release would resume within 24 hours after the crossings were opened.
Shalit Family Files Suit Against Government
The Shalit family petitioned the High Court of Justice Saturday afternoon to block the government from opening the Gaza crossings and lifting the economic boycott of the Hamas leadership of the region until the IDF hostage is freed.
The petition, which was also filed under the soldier's name, claimed the ceasefire agreement constituted a violation of commitments made to the family by heads of state in Israel and abroad.
Aviva and Noam Shalit were outraged by the government's decision last week to accept Hamas's conditions for the ceasefire deal, saying Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had abandoned their son.
Speaking for the Prime Minister, Regev responded, "We have nothing but respect for the Shalit family. We understand their pain."
A Possible Deal on Shalit
Olmert will travel to Cairo on Tuesday to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak over the matter of Shalit's release, one day before Israeli lawmakers are scheduled to vote on whether to dissolve the Knesset and call for new elections.
Reportedly the framework for a two-step prisoner swap, involving 450 Palestinian Authority prisoners, has been worked out, although such an exchange has also been proposed in the past. Under the terms of the deal, 350 prisoners would be released in the first stage, while Shalit is transferred to Egyptian custody. Once that step is completed satisfactorily, another 100 prisoners would be released, and Shalit would be returned to Israel.
The list of 450 names is allegedly comprised of "high quality" Palestinian Authority prisoners, including a number with "blood on their hands." However, sources said the deal is apparently stuck on 30 of the names which Hamas is demanding and Israel is refusing to free, according to the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper.