This is a leadership decision.
Hamas officials have made contradictory statements on whether any progress has been made in a prisoner exchange deal in which kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit would be released.
If he is alive, Shalit “celebrated” his 23rd birthday on the Hebrew calendar Wednesday in captivity somewhere in Gaza as thousands gathered in a prayer rally at Jerusalem’s Western Wall for his release.
Shalit's parents attended the rally and participated in the prayers led by former Israel Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, currently Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv.
Senior Egyptian sources say that a Hamas delegation conducting negotiations for Shalit's release will soon leave from Gaza to Cairo to renew talks. The sources refused to identify who the eight members of the team are. However, they noted that Israel’s special envoy Haggai Hadas is expected to visit Cairo.
Egyptian sources told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper Wednesday that some limited progress has been made in Shalit’s release. The sources claimed that the direction is positive, and credit Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with renewing negotiations with the Hamas terror organization from the point where talks previously halted in March. Talks ended after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert left office.
On the other hand, other Hamas officials deny that any progress has been made in negotiations. There have been multiple rumors of a breakthrough in talks over Shalit's fate in Arab media in recent days, but such rumors have surfaced dozens of times since Shalit was abducted.
Israel and Hamas have been negotiating Shalit's release through Egyptian mediators for years. Talks have broken down several times over Hamas' demand that Israel release some 1,400 terrorist prisoners in exchange for Shalit, many of them convicted killers. Israel refuses to consider releasing many of those serving long prison terms for terrorist murders, while Hamas refuses to remove even a single name from its list.
Mofaz: “Leadership Decision”
Former Defense Minister and current MK Shaul Mofaz told Voice of Israel government radio that a deal was imminent and a difficult decision would need to be made by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. “This is a leadership decision,” and places the ultimate decision of the release of terrorists “with blood on their hands” as a difficult decision that a leader must make. When asked whether he felt whether arch-terrorist Marwan Barghoutti should be released from Israeli prison to secure Shalit, Mofaz sidestepped the question and merely replied, “Barghouti was judged for multiple life sentences.”
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor Binyamin Ben-Eliezer has previously stated that Barghouti should be released as a peace partner.
MK Eitan: “Mofaz Should Be Discreet”
Minister of Improvement of Government Services Michael Eitan denied that any progress has been made in securing Shalit’s release. “Officially, Hamas is remaining silent. At this moment, there won’t be statements from them or the Israeli government,” Eitan told Voice of Israel.
The minister also expressed surprise at Mofaz’s public statements. “I’m amazed at Shaul Mofaz. I would’ve expected from him to remain silent. At least he should remain disciplined.” Eitan admitted that Mofaz is privy to more information than a private citizen. “Nonetheless, if he has what to say, he should pick up a phone and call the Prime Minister,” Eitan said.