Official sources and family members have not denied that a letter written by Shalit was delivered to Israel by Egypt. "I won't relate to reports about a letter," Gilad Shalit's father told Army Radio this morning, "but we have not yet received a single sign of life from him via an independent third-party."
The letter, if it exists, is only a few words long. PA sources said it states, "I am OK, they are treating me nicely." No date was given. The PA sources also said it would take three weeks for a deal to be finalized, but that a Fatah-Hamas unity government would not be formed before the release.
Israeli sources have confirmed that talks for his release in exchange for terrorist prisoners are underway. However, they say, it is unlikely that the abducted soldier will be released by the Rosh Hashanah New Year holiday, which begins Friday night.
The deal in the works would mean, according to reports that have appeared recently in various Arab media, that Israel would release anywhere between 400-1,000 terrorists.
A Saudi paper reported Saturday night that Shalit would be released today (Sunday), in exchange for 740 terrorist prisoners held in Israel. The report states, as have others, that women and teenagers would be released first, followed in a second stage by hundreds of male terrorists.
Public Anger
Family members of terror victims are demonstrating outside the Prime Minister's Office this morning against Israel's intention to release terrorists. Among the protestors is Deborah Appelbaum, who lost her husband Dr. David and daughter Nava in a Jerusalem terror attack in 2003 the night before Nava was to be married.
Shalit has not been seen since he was abducted by Hamas outside Gaza on June 25, but he is presumed to be alive.
On Saturday, Gilad’s father Noam met in Nazareth with Arab MK Talab El-Sana, who afterwards called on the PA (Palestinian Authority) and terrorists holding Gilad to release him. El-Sana stated, "As a father, I can understand Mr. Shalit’s feelings.”
Mr. Shalit has called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to agree to a prisoner exchange deal towards obtaining his son’s release. Precedents for such a move have been set on more than one occasion, he noted.
While European Union (EU) Foreign Minister Javier Solana continues signaling that the European community will recognize the now-forming Hamas-led coalition government, the EU is not making this recognition contingent upon Shalit’s release. Recognition of the Hamas Authority would mean the lifting of economic sanctions and a renewal of funds to the PA. This, despite the intention by the Hamas leaders to continue not to recognize Israel’s right to exist or to halt terrorism.
In the meantime, efforts to obtain the release of IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev continue as well. The two fell into Hizbullah captivity on July 12, and have not been seen by any international elements since.
Hizbullah has refused to permit an International Red Cross official to visit with the soldier. Despite this, Israel allowed Red Cross representatives to visit, over the weekend, three Hizbullah terrorists held in Israel.
It is now being reported that the two Israelis may have been wounded during the attack in which they fell into Hizbullah hands. Shortly after falling into captivity, sources in Jerusalem released statements that the two were alive and in good condition.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has been working in some capacity towards their release, stated that while it is presumed the two are still alive, he has not seen any proof. Germany is also working towards their release, acting as a third-party mediator between Hizbullah and Israel.
The letter, if it exists, is only a few words long. PA sources said it states, "I am OK, they are treating me nicely." No date was given. The PA sources also said it would take three weeks for a deal to be finalized, but that a Fatah-Hamas unity government would not be formed before the release.
Israeli sources have confirmed that talks for his release in exchange for terrorist prisoners are underway. However, they say, it is unlikely that the abducted soldier will be released by the Rosh Hashanah New Year holiday, which begins Friday night.
The deal in the works would mean, according to reports that have appeared recently in various Arab media, that Israel would release anywhere between 400-1,000 terrorists.
A Saudi paper reported Saturday night that Shalit would be released today (Sunday), in exchange for 740 terrorist prisoners held in Israel. The report states, as have others, that women and teenagers would be released first, followed in a second stage by hundreds of male terrorists.
Public Anger
Family members of terror victims are demonstrating outside the Prime Minister's Office this morning against Israel's intention to release terrorists. Among the protestors is Deborah Appelbaum, who lost her husband Dr. David and daughter Nava in a Jerusalem terror attack in 2003 the night before Nava was to be married.
Shalit has not been seen since he was abducted by Hamas outside Gaza on June 25, but he is presumed to be alive.
On Saturday, Gilad’s father Noam met in Nazareth with Arab MK Talab El-Sana, who afterwards called on the PA (Palestinian Authority) and terrorists holding Gilad to release him. El-Sana stated, "As a father, I can understand Mr. Shalit’s feelings.”
Mr. Shalit has called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to agree to a prisoner exchange deal towards obtaining his son’s release. Precedents for such a move have been set on more than one occasion, he noted.
While European Union (EU) Foreign Minister Javier Solana continues signaling that the European community will recognize the now-forming Hamas-led coalition government, the EU is not making this recognition contingent upon Shalit’s release. Recognition of the Hamas Authority would mean the lifting of economic sanctions and a renewal of funds to the PA. This, despite the intention by the Hamas leaders to continue not to recognize Israel’s right to exist or to halt terrorism.
In the meantime, efforts to obtain the release of IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev continue as well. The two fell into Hizbullah captivity on July 12, and have not been seen by any international elements since.
Hizbullah has refused to permit an International Red Cross official to visit with the soldier. Despite this, Israel allowed Red Cross representatives to visit, over the weekend, three Hizbullah terrorists held in Israel.
It is now being reported that the two Israelis may have been wounded during the attack in which they fell into Hizbullah hands. Shortly after falling into captivity, sources in Jerusalem released statements that the two were alive and in good condition.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has been working in some capacity towards their release, stated that while it is presumed the two are still alive, he has not seen any proof. Germany is also working towards their release, acting as a third-party mediator between Hizbullah and Israel.