According to a report by the Associated Press, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman penned a harsh letter to Damascus-based Hamas leader Khalid Meshaal late Tuesday night, demanding that he immediately order Shalit’s release. The IDF officer was kidnapped June 25th by Hamas terrorists in a raid on an army outpost near the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza.
Vice Premier Shimon Peres said Wednesday that Meshaal has blocked Shalit’s release and added that the terror leader and his henchmen have increased the tension in the Gaza Strip. “They prevent the Palestinians from releasing the prisoner,” said Peres, “which increases the tension all the time. The focus must be on this extreme leadership in Damascus,” he said.
Egypt has spent months negotiating with terrorists for Shalit’s freedom without success. Former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt, Tzvi Mazel told Channel 1 TV English News that he believes Egypt is making a sincere effort, but added he does not believe it has the deterrence power to succeed.
The former ambassador said that because Hamas is affiliated with radical Islam, the group is not likely to react to Egyptian pressure. “Hamas does not want peace with Israel, but seeks Israel’s destruction,” he said, pointing out the current situation is well in line with Hamas’ political objectives.
In addition to his demand that Meshaal free Shalit, Suleiman also underscored Egypt’s insistence that Hamas stop dragging its feet on forming a unity government with PA President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. Efforts to complete the establishment of the new government have failed due to Hamas’ continued refusal to formally recognize Israel’s right to exist, a key obstacle.
Meshaal’s response to the Egyptian demands was guarded. “The leadership has received the Egyptian letter today and is studying it,” said a Hamas official.
Vice Premier Shimon Peres said Wednesday that Meshaal has blocked Shalit’s release and added that the terror leader and his henchmen have increased the tension in the Gaza Strip. “They prevent the Palestinians from releasing the prisoner,” said Peres, “which increases the tension all the time. The focus must be on this extreme leadership in Damascus,” he said.
Egypt has spent months negotiating with terrorists for Shalit’s freedom without success. Former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt, Tzvi Mazel told Channel 1 TV English News that he believes Egypt is making a sincere effort, but added he does not believe it has the deterrence power to succeed.
The former ambassador said that because Hamas is affiliated with radical Islam, the group is not likely to react to Egyptian pressure. “Hamas does not want peace with Israel, but seeks Israel’s destruction,” he said, pointing out the current situation is well in line with Hamas’ political objectives.
In addition to his demand that Meshaal free Shalit, Suleiman also underscored Egypt’s insistence that Hamas stop dragging its feet on forming a unity government with PA President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. Efforts to complete the establishment of the new government have failed due to Hamas’ continued refusal to formally recognize Israel’s right to exist, a key obstacle.
Meshaal’s response to the Egyptian demands was guarded. “The leadership has received the Egyptian letter today and is studying it,” said a Hamas official.