The latest demand by Hamas that it help patrol the border at Egypt as a new condition for the freedom of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is the latest of one of dozens of twists and turns by the terrorist organization and the Olmert government the past two and a half years.
Both sides have exploited the Israeli media to create impressions, some true and some false, while several newspapers and broadcast channels have adopted the government agenda.
Gaza-based Hamas political advisor Ahmed Yousef revealed the new demand to WorldNetDaily. Several hours earlier, Khaled Mashaal, the Syrian-based overall head of Hamas, contradicted reports that Gaza officials agreed to a demand by outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that the soldier be freed before another ceasefire pact is announced.
Hamas and the Israeli government have taken various positions since Shalit was kidnapped on June 25, 2006. Numerous reports have floated for the past two years about an "imminent" deal to free Shalit, and demands from both sides changed almost daily every time another report surfaced.
Spokesmen and officials often float trial balloons through selected Israeli media that generally has been uncritical of the government and often has keyed its coverage towards freeing Shalit at any price.
Olmert in 2006: No Negotiations
Prime Minister Olmert told the Cabinet one week after Shalit's capture, "Everyone knows that capitulating to terrorism today means inviting the next act of terrorism. We will not do this." Several days later he told Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, "This is not a matter of negotiations. Release of prisoners is absolutely not on the agenda of the Israeli government."
However, almost no media outlet has recalled the statements or his promise not to return to negotiations with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas without Shalit safely home. 
Olmert said, 'This is not a matter of negotiations. Release of prisoners is absolutely not on the agenda of the Israeli government.'
Noam Shalit, father of the soldier, said during Operation Cast Lead that Israel had a rare opportunity to bring back his son along with IDF soldiers fighting against Hamas. However, the media never questioned the government after it withdrew and left Shalit as "the last Jew in Gaza."
Israeli newspapers and electronic media, most notably Reshet Bet (Voice of Israel government radio) and Channel One television, have attempted to show "balance" by quoting relatives of terror victims for and against releasing terrorists "with blood on their hands" in return for Shalit.
However, heavy coverage has been given to emotional appeals by Shalit's parents, who have met with world leaders, none of whom have even succeeded in persuading the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to demand that Hamas honor the Geneva Convention and allow its officials to visit Shalit.
Giving up Shalit will leave Hamas without its strongest trump card, which Hamas has played to the hilt. The soldier's parents, backed by dovish groups, now are appealing daily for the government to "pay whatever price Hamas names" and end their son's ordeal.
Hamas leaders and spokesmen have exploited the family's psychological duress as well as the media. They frequently have upped or change demands, following with charges that the Israeli government is to blame for not concluding an agreement.
Mabat: Ketzaleh and Noam Shalit
Tuesday night, Channel OneMabat's news program showed adamant Ichud Leumi (National Union) leaders who warned that no one can say he "did not spill blood" if he approves releasing murderers. They pointed out that many previously released terrroists have returned to continue killing Israelis.
. Click here for a video interview with National Union Leader Yaakov Katz
Channel One journalist Ayala Hasson immediately followed with an interview with Shalit's father Noam, asking him what he thinks about the position of the National Union. After he responded that "we understand the pain" of terror victims and that "no one is right" on the entire issue, she dropped the line of questioning and asked him if he is involved in the indirect talks between Hamas and Israel.
The father said he has no inside information but added, "We have told officials that there can be no agreement with Hamas without freeing Gilad. We saw that last June when there was an agreement but no progress."
His answer appeared to lead to criticism of Prime Minister Olmert, and Hasson interrupted him and suggested that it will be more difficult to free Shalit if the current government does not do so.
Nationalist critics have charged Prime Minister Olmert with playing politics and putting his own personal reputation above national security by changing his stand and offering to free convicted suicide bombing attack organizers in order to secure Shalit.
The Prime Minister is to present to the Security Cabinet on Wednesday the conditions of a new agreement with Hamas.
Shalit is believed to be alive and well, although Almagor Terror Victims Association director Meir Indor has expressed fears that Shalit suffers from the "Stockholm syndrome," in which the victim adopts the cause of his captors.