A ministerial committee announced Sunday that it would not discuss a bill known as the “Shalit Bill” as previously scheduled, due to the fact that senior defense officials have not yet decided their position on the issue. The hearing has been postponed indefinitely. It had earlier been reported that many ministers supported the bill.
The Shalit Bill would limit the visits enjoyed by terrorists affiliated with an organization that is holding a citizen or resident of Israel captive. Such terrorists would be allowed to see only their lawyers and representatives of the Red Cross until the organization to which they belong releases its hostage.
Currently, Hamas terrorists enjoy the benefits given to other prisoners in Israel, including regular visits with their families. Kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was taken hostage three years ago, has not been permitted any visits, including those required under international law.
"It makes no sense that while Gilad Shalit is captive and receives no visits, not even from the Red Cross, Hamas terrorists in Israel get VIP treatment,” explains MK Danny Danon (Likud), who initiated the bill.
Hamas: No Change in Demands
On Saturday, Hamas leaders announced that their demands for Shalit's release remain unchanged. The group is demanding that Israel release approximately 1,400 terrorists, including the following: 1,000 terrorists serving long prison sentences for attacks on Israel, all members of the Hamas parliament currently being detained for their affiliation with the group, all female terrorists in Israeli prisons and all minors being held for terror-related offenses.
In a television interview in Gaza, senior Hamas member Osama al-Mazini said the group's demands “depend on our brave prisoners.” Hamas has no intention of reducing its demands in any way, he said.