Hamas has cranked up its media machine and disseminated various rumors through Arab media, ranging from blaming Israel for blocking an agreement to release terrorists for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, to statements that the deal will be completed within a month.
Israel’s mainstream media, which are perceived to have been actively campaigning in favor of releasing hundreds terrorists for the soldier, jumped on the most positive rumors. The latest is a statement from a senior Hamas leader that the terrorist organization wants to time the conclusion of a deal with the anniversary of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign, which began in late December, and turn the date into a holiday.
Earlier on Monday, the Hamas public relations official told a popular Arabic-language newspaper based in London that Israel is at fault for the failure to reach a deal for Shalit, who has been held in captivity for nearly three and a half years.
Israel reportedly is refusing to release several senior terrorists, who were named by the newspaper, although government prosecutors told the High Court on Sunday that both Hamas and Israel have sworn each other to secrecy of details of negotiations and proposals until both sides come to a final agreement. The prosecutors were replying to an appeal by terror victims for a court order that the government publish details, including criteria for determining which terrorists to free.
The court is to discuss the appeal Monday afternoon, when it also will hear another suit that demands that the government release details of an investigative report on the issue of releasing terrorists. The suit was filed on behalf of National Union MK Yaakov (Ketzaleh) Katz.
The current rumors, which began more than two weeks ago, echo several previous reports over the past two years, all of which have proven to be false or misleading. Hamas has used the negotiations to create emotional pressure on Israelis and on political leaders, many of whom have admitted they simply want to conclude the issue, no matter the price.