6 july 2016
An Israeli official has confirmed, according to Al Ray, that Hamas is demanding the Israeli occupation, through indirect contacts, to release fifty Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails before the start of any negotiations on the prisoner swap, in which Israel will receive the bodies of soldiers Oron Shaul, Hadar Goldin and two others Hamas claims to possess.
Hebrew newspaper Yediot Aharonot said today, that, according to the Israeli official, Hamas wants “Shalit deal No. 2” to release thousands of the Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas required, to begin the negotiations on the deal, the release of 50 prisoners re-arrested during police actions carried out by the Israeli occupation army in 2014, in the wake of the abduction three Israeli settlers.
Three young Israeli settlers were reported missing by Israeli authorities, in the summer of 2014, and a massive arrest campaign allegedly targeting Hamas affiliates, whom they unsubstantially implicated in the crime, was launched across the West Bank.
No evidence to support the claim was (ever) produced, as Israeli violence against Palestinians escalated into a state of utter hysteria when 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir, from the Shu’fat district of occupied East Jerusalem, was savagely tortured and burned to death by a group of Israeli settlers.
The dead bodies of the three missing youth, one of whom was in fact a former Israeli soldier, were eventually uncovered just near the area from which they had gone missing, some weeks following their disappearance.
However, the violence across both the occupied Palestinian territories and areas of Israel still overwhelmingly populated by Arabs, both Christian and Muslim, had now reached a boiling point.
Mishaal, Abu Marzouk, Arouri: Detainees’ freedom around the corner
Hamas leaders Khaled Mishaal, Saleh al-Arouri, and Moussa Abu Marzouk reiterated the group’s commitment to the prisoners’ cause and its ongoing efforts to liberate Palestinians from Israeli jails.
Speaking in a videotaped speech on the occasion of the Eid, Mishaal said serious work has been done by the group to liberate Palestinian detainees. “Never ever shall we have a moment’s rest until you restore your freedom.
This is our duty and your right,” said Haneyya. He vowed that Hamas will do every possible effort to oust the Israeli occupation from the occupied Palestinian territories, defend Muslims’ al-Aqsa Mosque against Israeli Judaization schemes and restore refugees’ right to return to their motherland.
Political bureau member of Hamas Moussa Abu Marzouk also acclaimed the steadfastness maintained by Palestinian detainees in Israeli lock-ups. “You are the real free people,” said Abu Marzouk.
“We take it upon our shoulders to make your liberation dream come true.” For his part, the group’s leader Saleh al-Arouri expressed his best wishes for a happy Eid to the Palestinian detainees, vowing that the group will make every possible effort to release them from jail. “We’re quite sure that freedom is around the corner,” al-Arouri further stated.
Hebrew newspaper Yediot Aharonot said today, that, according to the Israeli official, Hamas wants “Shalit deal No. 2” to release thousands of the Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas required, to begin the negotiations on the deal, the release of 50 prisoners re-arrested during police actions carried out by the Israeli occupation army in 2014, in the wake of the abduction three Israeli settlers.
Three young Israeli settlers were reported missing by Israeli authorities, in the summer of 2014, and a massive arrest campaign allegedly targeting Hamas affiliates, whom they unsubstantially implicated in the crime, was launched across the West Bank.
No evidence to support the claim was (ever) produced, as Israeli violence against Palestinians escalated into a state of utter hysteria when 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir, from the Shu’fat district of occupied East Jerusalem, was savagely tortured and burned to death by a group of Israeli settlers.
The dead bodies of the three missing youth, one of whom was in fact a former Israeli soldier, were eventually uncovered just near the area from which they had gone missing, some weeks following their disappearance.
However, the violence across both the occupied Palestinian territories and areas of Israel still overwhelmingly populated by Arabs, both Christian and Muslim, had now reached a boiling point.
Mishaal, Abu Marzouk, Arouri: Detainees’ freedom around the corner
Hamas leaders Khaled Mishaal, Saleh al-Arouri, and Moussa Abu Marzouk reiterated the group’s commitment to the prisoners’ cause and its ongoing efforts to liberate Palestinians from Israeli jails.
Speaking in a videotaped speech on the occasion of the Eid, Mishaal said serious work has been done by the group to liberate Palestinian detainees. “Never ever shall we have a moment’s rest until you restore your freedom.
This is our duty and your right,” said Haneyya. He vowed that Hamas will do every possible effort to oust the Israeli occupation from the occupied Palestinian territories, defend Muslims’ al-Aqsa Mosque against Israeli Judaization schemes and restore refugees’ right to return to their motherland.
Political bureau member of Hamas Moussa Abu Marzouk also acclaimed the steadfastness maintained by Palestinian detainees in Israeli lock-ups. “You are the real free people,” said Abu Marzouk.
“We take it upon our shoulders to make your liberation dream come true.” For his part, the group’s leader Saleh al-Arouri expressed his best wishes for a happy Eid to the Palestinian detainees, vowing that the group will make every possible effort to release them from jail. “We’re quite sure that freedom is around the corner,” al-Arouri further stated.
Deputy Head of Hamas’ Political Bureau Ismail Haneyya called Wednesday on Palestinian people and Arab and Islamic nation to stand united against the Israeli occupation.
During Ed al-Fiter sermon, Haneyya said that the regional and sectarian conflicts and bloody bombings aim at diverting compass towards Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Eid has come this year while we are witnessing very difficult and tough days, Haneyya said in reference to the bombing attacks that targeted Saudi Arabia.
Jerusalem, prisoners’ issue, and Palestine are our compass that must not change, he stressed.
Haneyya strongly condemned the bloody attacks targeting the Prophet's Mosque in the city of Medina and Istanbul airport in Turkey.
On the other hand, the senior leader in Hamas Movement stressed that Palestinian prisoners’ issue is on the top priorities of Palestinian people.
Palestinian resistance is ready to reach a new prisoner swap deal, he said, denying media reports about ongoing negotiations with Israeli authorities over prisoners exchange deal.
"We will never accept any prisoners deal before the release of Palestinian ex-prisoners who were earlier released during Shalit swap deal".
Israeli occupation has failed to put down the ongoing Jerusalem Intifada, he said, hailing the strong determination of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and al-Khalil in particular.
Haneyya concluded by thanking Qatar and Turkey for working to alleviate Israeli siege on Gaza, and Egypt for opening Rafah crossing.
During Ed al-Fiter sermon, Haneyya said that the regional and sectarian conflicts and bloody bombings aim at diverting compass towards Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Eid has come this year while we are witnessing very difficult and tough days, Haneyya said in reference to the bombing attacks that targeted Saudi Arabia.
Jerusalem, prisoners’ issue, and Palestine are our compass that must not change, he stressed.
Haneyya strongly condemned the bloody attacks targeting the Prophet's Mosque in the city of Medina and Istanbul airport in Turkey.
On the other hand, the senior leader in Hamas Movement stressed that Palestinian prisoners’ issue is on the top priorities of Palestinian people.
Palestinian resistance is ready to reach a new prisoner swap deal, he said, denying media reports about ongoing negotiations with Israeli authorities over prisoners exchange deal.
"We will never accept any prisoners deal before the release of Palestinian ex-prisoners who were earlier released during Shalit swap deal".
Israeli occupation has failed to put down the ongoing Jerusalem Intifada, he said, hailing the strong determination of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and al-Khalil in particular.
Haneyya concluded by thanking Qatar and Turkey for working to alleviate Israeli siege on Gaza, and Egypt for opening Rafah crossing.
5 july 2016
'Instead of pressuring our enemies, we show them our weakness,' Goldin family says following report the Gaza terror group wants hundreds of prisoners in return for Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Avra Mangisto and Hisham al-Sayed.
The families of Lt. Hadar Goldin and Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government following a report on the outlandish demands Hamas has made just to begin negotiations over the return of the two soldiers' bodies, as well as two civilians.
According to the report on Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday, Hamas has set a precondition to beginning talks—the release of 50 prisoners who were first freed in the Gilad Shalit deal and then imprisoned again during Operation Brother's Keeper in the West Bank in 2014 after the kidnapping and subsequent murder of three Israeli teenagers.
In addition, an Israeli official told Yedioth that Hamas will demand hundreds of prisoners in return for Goldin and Shaul's bodies, as well as civilians Avra Mangisto and Hisham al-Sayed.
"Instead of pressuring our enemies, we show them our weakness, and Hamas receives a reward for kidnapping," the Goldin family said in a statement.
"The State of Israel had a golden opportunity last week to change this equation and, as part of the agreement with Turkey, force Hamas to pay the price and return the bodies of Hadar and Oron," the Goldin family went on to say. "While our soldiers are held captive in Gaza, Hamas's prisoners enjoy hotel-like conditions, and can sit and watch the Euro games."
The family criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying "when the prime minister signs agreements that ease restrictions on Gaza and doesn't demand Hamas to pay the price for its atrocious crimes—he is showing weakness, and setting the stage for more demands, including the release of murderers and terrorists.
"We call on all decision-makers - instead of dealing with lowly media spins, act today to change the equation and make Hamas realize the kidnapping of soldiers doesn't pay off. It's time to exact a price from our enemies rather than paying it ourselves."
The Shaul family accused the government of running "a campaign against the families."
"The government wants to talk about the 'price' to bringing back our boys? This is an unprecedented act in which the state and its representatives are mounting a campaign against the Shaul and Goldin families instead of against Hamas," the family said in a statement.
"It's important to stick to the ethical principle. Oron and his friends were sent to fight by the State of Israel. They fulfilled their duty, and were willing to put themselves on the front lines of the battle for Israel's security. Now, the state has abandoned them. Operation Protective Edge may have ended for the politicians, but we left our sons behind. So the war is not yet over."
The Shaul family also offered directed criticism of Netanyahu and his government. "It's been two years and the government has yet to formulate its policy on putting pressure on Hamas. There was talk, and envoys, but zero results, lack of policy, amateur conduct.
"The Hamas terrorists in prison are enjoying generous conditions, the Strip receives 900 trucks carrying luxuries every day, and the family members of Hamas officials receive treatment at our hospitals," the Shaul family went on to say.
"We were shocked to see the quotes from the prime minister's envoys about the handling of the boys' return. Unfortunately, this is all a deception. The prime minister's envoys were given too much credit and they deceived us," the family concluded.
Goldin and Shaul were killed in two separate incidents during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip. Hamas snatched their bodies, and has been keeping them ever since. Mangisto, meanwhile, accidentally crossed the border into Gaza in September of 2014 and has not been heard from since. He is believed to be held by Hamas. Al-Sayed, a Bedouin resident of the south, has also crossed the border into the Strip, also of his own accord, several months later.
'Worsen conditions of Hamas prisoners'
The Goldin and Shaul family also received support from other bereaved families, who argued that worsening Hamas prisoners' conditions as a way to put pressure on the terror organization was preferable to conceding to its demands and releasing prisoners.
"The release of the bodies must be achieved by changing the equation—worsening the prisoners' conditions instead of easing their restrictions," said Yossi Tzur, whose son Assaf was murdered by Palestinian terrorists in a suicide bombing in Haifa in 2003.
He called on the prime minister to only conduct negotiations based on the conclusions of the Shamgar Commission, which determined that "guidelines for negotiations should be set in legislation and rules should be set according to which bodies are returned for bodies, and a living person in return for another living person. One-to-one," Tzur said. "But obviously Netanyahu is not interested in a law that could tie his hands."
Hadas Mizrahi, whose husband chief superintendent Baruch Mizrahi was murdered in a shooting attack on Passover eve in 2014 by a terrorist released in the Shalit deal, expressed her objection to prisoner releases.
"Even before the Shalit deal, we always hoped this (prisoner release) wouldn't happen, because we know what the result would be. It's terrible, and painful," she said.
She bemoaned the fact trials for terrorists drag on, describing the suffering of the victims' families. "You see them laughing in your face and saying 'We'll be released.' Even when they’re arrested, they say they're not afraid. 'We'll be out in a few years.' They get a lot of money every month. A terrorist knows Hamas would support him and always take care of him and his family."
The terrorist that killed her husband, she said, "murdered four people and wounded a senior officer—and was still released in the Shalit deal. He did his BA and MA at the State of Israel's expense. They said, 'We'll rehabilitate him and everything will be okay,' but we know that didn't help. He got up and said so himself that when he is set free, he'll continue murdering."
Hadas said that even before the murder of her husband, she was against the release of terrorists. "If, heavens forbid, I were in this situation and it was someone I knew (being held by Hamas)—I would have demanded military action. A deal should never be done, as the freed terrorists will murder another, and that person's blood is no different to the blood of the person on whose account the terrorist was released."
Mizrahi said she spoke to other terror victims "and they agree with me. We will stop it ourselves. We'll send a letter to the prime minister and the president, asking them to stop this."
Ora Mintz from Kiryat Motzkin, whose son Raz was murdered by terrorists in a shooting attack on the road between Ofra and Neit El in 2001, had a different take on the matter. She said that even if it meant releasing terrorists, Mangisto and the bodies of the soldiers must be brought back at any cost.
"While the rabbinate declared the soldiers as deceased, there's always the trace of doubt for the families," she said. "This kind of ambiguousness, in my opinion, is unbearable, and the parents deserve to know for sure. It is also unbearable to me that the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers are not buried in Israel."
"As for the price," she added, "these are the rules of negotiations and if we have not been able to find an alternative that would induce Hamas to return the soldiers—we have no choice but to release terrorists."
"The terrorist who murdered Raz was released in the Shalit deal," Ora continued. "The day of his release was very hard for me and I couldn't stop crying—but I still believe it is better for Gilad's mother to be able to hug her son than for me to feel a false sense of satisfaction that my son's murderer rots in jail."
She also argued life in Israel is not necessarily safer thanks to the jailing of terrorists.
The families of Lt. Hadar Goldin and Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government following a report on the outlandish demands Hamas has made just to begin negotiations over the return of the two soldiers' bodies, as well as two civilians.
According to the report on Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday, Hamas has set a precondition to beginning talks—the release of 50 prisoners who were first freed in the Gilad Shalit deal and then imprisoned again during Operation Brother's Keeper in the West Bank in 2014 after the kidnapping and subsequent murder of three Israeli teenagers.
In addition, an Israeli official told Yedioth that Hamas will demand hundreds of prisoners in return for Goldin and Shaul's bodies, as well as civilians Avra Mangisto and Hisham al-Sayed.
"Instead of pressuring our enemies, we show them our weakness, and Hamas receives a reward for kidnapping," the Goldin family said in a statement.
"The State of Israel had a golden opportunity last week to change this equation and, as part of the agreement with Turkey, force Hamas to pay the price and return the bodies of Hadar and Oron," the Goldin family went on to say. "While our soldiers are held captive in Gaza, Hamas's prisoners enjoy hotel-like conditions, and can sit and watch the Euro games."
The family criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying "when the prime minister signs agreements that ease restrictions on Gaza and doesn't demand Hamas to pay the price for its atrocious crimes—he is showing weakness, and setting the stage for more demands, including the release of murderers and terrorists.
"We call on all decision-makers - instead of dealing with lowly media spins, act today to change the equation and make Hamas realize the kidnapping of soldiers doesn't pay off. It's time to exact a price from our enemies rather than paying it ourselves."
The Shaul family accused the government of running "a campaign against the families."
"The government wants to talk about the 'price' to bringing back our boys? This is an unprecedented act in which the state and its representatives are mounting a campaign against the Shaul and Goldin families instead of against Hamas," the family said in a statement.
"It's important to stick to the ethical principle. Oron and his friends were sent to fight by the State of Israel. They fulfilled their duty, and were willing to put themselves on the front lines of the battle for Israel's security. Now, the state has abandoned them. Operation Protective Edge may have ended for the politicians, but we left our sons behind. So the war is not yet over."
The Shaul family also offered directed criticism of Netanyahu and his government. "It's been two years and the government has yet to formulate its policy on putting pressure on Hamas. There was talk, and envoys, but zero results, lack of policy, amateur conduct.
"The Hamas terrorists in prison are enjoying generous conditions, the Strip receives 900 trucks carrying luxuries every day, and the family members of Hamas officials receive treatment at our hospitals," the Shaul family went on to say.
"We were shocked to see the quotes from the prime minister's envoys about the handling of the boys' return. Unfortunately, this is all a deception. The prime minister's envoys were given too much credit and they deceived us," the family concluded.
Goldin and Shaul were killed in two separate incidents during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip. Hamas snatched their bodies, and has been keeping them ever since. Mangisto, meanwhile, accidentally crossed the border into Gaza in September of 2014 and has not been heard from since. He is believed to be held by Hamas. Al-Sayed, a Bedouin resident of the south, has also crossed the border into the Strip, also of his own accord, several months later.
'Worsen conditions of Hamas prisoners'
The Goldin and Shaul family also received support from other bereaved families, who argued that worsening Hamas prisoners' conditions as a way to put pressure on the terror organization was preferable to conceding to its demands and releasing prisoners.
"The release of the bodies must be achieved by changing the equation—worsening the prisoners' conditions instead of easing their restrictions," said Yossi Tzur, whose son Assaf was murdered by Palestinian terrorists in a suicide bombing in Haifa in 2003.
He called on the prime minister to only conduct negotiations based on the conclusions of the Shamgar Commission, which determined that "guidelines for negotiations should be set in legislation and rules should be set according to which bodies are returned for bodies, and a living person in return for another living person. One-to-one," Tzur said. "But obviously Netanyahu is not interested in a law that could tie his hands."
Hadas Mizrahi, whose husband chief superintendent Baruch Mizrahi was murdered in a shooting attack on Passover eve in 2014 by a terrorist released in the Shalit deal, expressed her objection to prisoner releases.
"Even before the Shalit deal, we always hoped this (prisoner release) wouldn't happen, because we know what the result would be. It's terrible, and painful," she said.
She bemoaned the fact trials for terrorists drag on, describing the suffering of the victims' families. "You see them laughing in your face and saying 'We'll be released.' Even when they’re arrested, they say they're not afraid. 'We'll be out in a few years.' They get a lot of money every month. A terrorist knows Hamas would support him and always take care of him and his family."
The terrorist that killed her husband, she said, "murdered four people and wounded a senior officer—and was still released in the Shalit deal. He did his BA and MA at the State of Israel's expense. They said, 'We'll rehabilitate him and everything will be okay,' but we know that didn't help. He got up and said so himself that when he is set free, he'll continue murdering."
Hadas said that even before the murder of her husband, she was against the release of terrorists. "If, heavens forbid, I were in this situation and it was someone I knew (being held by Hamas)—I would have demanded military action. A deal should never be done, as the freed terrorists will murder another, and that person's blood is no different to the blood of the person on whose account the terrorist was released."
Mizrahi said she spoke to other terror victims "and they agree with me. We will stop it ourselves. We'll send a letter to the prime minister and the president, asking them to stop this."
Ora Mintz from Kiryat Motzkin, whose son Raz was murdered by terrorists in a shooting attack on the road between Ofra and Neit El in 2001, had a different take on the matter. She said that even if it meant releasing terrorists, Mangisto and the bodies of the soldiers must be brought back at any cost.
"While the rabbinate declared the soldiers as deceased, there's always the trace of doubt for the families," she said. "This kind of ambiguousness, in my opinion, is unbearable, and the parents deserve to know for sure. It is also unbearable to me that the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers are not buried in Israel."
"As for the price," she added, "these are the rules of negotiations and if we have not been able to find an alternative that would induce Hamas to return the soldiers—we have no choice but to release terrorists."
"The terrorist who murdered Raz was released in the Shalit deal," Ora continued. "The day of his release was very hard for me and I couldn't stop crying—but I still believe it is better for Gilad's mother to be able to hug her son than for me to feel a false sense of satisfaction that my son's murderer rots in jail."
She also argued life in Israel is not necessarily safer thanks to the jailing of terrorists.
Hazem Qasem, activist of Hamas, said that his Movement will not offer free information on the Israeli soldiers captured in Gaza.
He called on the Israeli Occupation to release the Palestinian detainees who were released in Wafaa al-Ahrar deal then recaptured before talking about any new prisoner exchange deal.
In an exclusive statement to the PIC, Qasem said that releasing Palestinian captives is a strategic priority of Hamas which insists on its positions and conditions in regards to any new swap deal whoever the broker is.
“Hamas along with Palestinians in Gaza Strip have suffered a lot from the Israeli aggression and siege on Gaza for the sake of liberating prisoners. Hence, Hamas has no option but to achieve a swap deal with honor”, he said.
He added, “There are no contacts being conducted in the meantime. We can reach a new swap agreement when Israel is ready to pay for releasing its soldiers detained in Gaza”.
Israeli media sources reported that Hamas had set the condition of releasing Wafaa al-Ahrar prisoners who were rearrested by Israeli forces as a condition to start negotiations for the new swap deal.
An Israeli official, according to Yedioth Ahronoth Israeli newspaper, Monday disclosed indirect contacts in which Hamas conditions of releasing the 50 Palestinian prisoners, who were rearrested in Israeli operations conducted in 2014, were being discussed in preparation for holding a new swap deal.
On the other hand, Hamas would then release the bodies of soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin in addition to two other soldiers held by the resistance in Gaza.
He called on the Israeli Occupation to release the Palestinian detainees who were released in Wafaa al-Ahrar deal then recaptured before talking about any new prisoner exchange deal.
In an exclusive statement to the PIC, Qasem said that releasing Palestinian captives is a strategic priority of Hamas which insists on its positions and conditions in regards to any new swap deal whoever the broker is.
“Hamas along with Palestinians in Gaza Strip have suffered a lot from the Israeli aggression and siege on Gaza for the sake of liberating prisoners. Hence, Hamas has no option but to achieve a swap deal with honor”, he said.
He added, “There are no contacts being conducted in the meantime. We can reach a new swap agreement when Israel is ready to pay for releasing its soldiers detained in Gaza”.
Israeli media sources reported that Hamas had set the condition of releasing Wafaa al-Ahrar prisoners who were rearrested by Israeli forces as a condition to start negotiations for the new swap deal.
An Israeli official, according to Yedioth Ahronoth Israeli newspaper, Monday disclosed indirect contacts in which Hamas conditions of releasing the 50 Palestinian prisoners, who were rearrested in Israeli operations conducted in 2014, were being discussed in preparation for holding a new swap deal.
On the other hand, Hamas would then release the bodies of soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin in addition to two other soldiers held by the resistance in Gaza.
4 july 2016
Terror group sets preconditions for negotiations: Release of 50 of its men arrested after kidnapping of 3 teens; their final goal: Release of hundreds of security prisoners in return for bodies of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin and civilians Avra Mangisto and Hisham al-Sayed.
Officially, Israel is not negotiating with Hamas over the return of the bodies of IDF officer Hadar Goldin and soldier Oron Shaul, and civilians Avra Mangisto and Hisham al-Sayed. But Yedioth Ahronoth has learned that behind the scenes Israel has been engaging in talks through mediators, seeking to at least start a negotiation.
As it currently stands, it appears the pressure being exerted by the Shaul, Goldin and Mangisto families has not borne fruit and both Israel and Hamas remain entrenched in their positions.
"Hamas wants a 'Shalit Deal 2,' with the release of hundreds of prisoners," a senior Israeli official said, alluding to the unofficial exchanges.
But that is not the terror group's only condition. It also demands an "entry fee" to even engage in negotiations in the form of the release of 50 security prisoners arrested during "Operation Brother's Keeper," conducted in the West Bank following the kidnapping and subsequent murder of three Israeli teens.
Hamas's demand for "entry fees" was first reported by Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat several months ago, and has now been confirmed for the first time by an Israeli official.
Jerusalem has rejected Hamas's demand to release prisoners as a precondition to begin the negotiations: "The public in Israel has started the difficult internal debate (about the issue) too soon," the senior official said. "We're not willing to pay for signs of life, as it means we'll have to meet any precondition."
Israel, the mediators were told, was no longer willing to pay a high price in prisoner exchange deals particularly in light of the fact that, in the case of Goldin and Shaul, there is no doubt that the negotiation will be over bodies.
"The attempt to tie the agreement with Turkey to the talks for the return of the bodies and the release of the civilians is not relevant, and shows the lack of understanding of the other side," the official explained.
Israel is dealing, in this case, with the heads of Hamas's military wing—not with the organization's political leadership—and it is they who are responsible first and foremost for the prisoners. Among the three Hamas heads managing the negotiations is Yahya Sinwar, who was imprisoned in Israeli jail and released as part of the Shalit prisoner exchange deal. He, more than the others, understands the prisoners' situation. The other two negotiators are Marwan Issa, considered Hamas's deputy military chief, and Ruhi Mushtaha.
Hamas's military wing is not interested in the construction of a Gaza sea port, nor the easing of the military blockade over the Strip. Sinwar takes a radical stance on the issue and is not willing to discuss anything but the release of security prisoners.
In 2011, IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was released from captivity in Gaza after more than five years in return for, 1,027 prisoners, 58 of whom were released to the West Bank. In June 2014, after the kidnapping of the three Israeli teens, these prisoners were arrested again and charged with violating their parole by committing offenses. Since then, eight have been released while 50 are still imprisoned and kept in special cell blocks.
Israeli officials have said that while the precondition of releasing these prisoners is not on the table, Sinwar can still improve the conditions of 1,500 Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails in what is defined as a gesture of goodwill by Israel.
Among the things Israel is willing to put on the negotiating table is the formulation of arrangements for the exchange of prisoners and bodies at the end of military campaigns.
"We can talk about" the 20 prisoners arrested during Operation Protective Edge and the bodies of 20 Palestinian combatants Israel has captured during the fighting, the official said.
"Hamas is interested in exhausting us, but Israeli society has changed since the Shalit deal," he added.
Officially, Israel is not negotiating with Hamas over the return of the bodies of IDF officer Hadar Goldin and soldier Oron Shaul, and civilians Avra Mangisto and Hisham al-Sayed. But Yedioth Ahronoth has learned that behind the scenes Israel has been engaging in talks through mediators, seeking to at least start a negotiation.
As it currently stands, it appears the pressure being exerted by the Shaul, Goldin and Mangisto families has not borne fruit and both Israel and Hamas remain entrenched in their positions.
"Hamas wants a 'Shalit Deal 2,' with the release of hundreds of prisoners," a senior Israeli official said, alluding to the unofficial exchanges.
But that is not the terror group's only condition. It also demands an "entry fee" to even engage in negotiations in the form of the release of 50 security prisoners arrested during "Operation Brother's Keeper," conducted in the West Bank following the kidnapping and subsequent murder of three Israeli teens.
Hamas's demand for "entry fees" was first reported by Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat several months ago, and has now been confirmed for the first time by an Israeli official.
Jerusalem has rejected Hamas's demand to release prisoners as a precondition to begin the negotiations: "The public in Israel has started the difficult internal debate (about the issue) too soon," the senior official said. "We're not willing to pay for signs of life, as it means we'll have to meet any precondition."
Israel, the mediators were told, was no longer willing to pay a high price in prisoner exchange deals particularly in light of the fact that, in the case of Goldin and Shaul, there is no doubt that the negotiation will be over bodies.
"The attempt to tie the agreement with Turkey to the talks for the return of the bodies and the release of the civilians is not relevant, and shows the lack of understanding of the other side," the official explained.
Israel is dealing, in this case, with the heads of Hamas's military wing—not with the organization's political leadership—and it is they who are responsible first and foremost for the prisoners. Among the three Hamas heads managing the negotiations is Yahya Sinwar, who was imprisoned in Israeli jail and released as part of the Shalit prisoner exchange deal. He, more than the others, understands the prisoners' situation. The other two negotiators are Marwan Issa, considered Hamas's deputy military chief, and Ruhi Mushtaha.
Hamas's military wing is not interested in the construction of a Gaza sea port, nor the easing of the military blockade over the Strip. Sinwar takes a radical stance on the issue and is not willing to discuss anything but the release of security prisoners.
In 2011, IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was released from captivity in Gaza after more than five years in return for, 1,027 prisoners, 58 of whom were released to the West Bank. In June 2014, after the kidnapping of the three Israeli teens, these prisoners were arrested again and charged with violating their parole by committing offenses. Since then, eight have been released while 50 are still imprisoned and kept in special cell blocks.
Israeli officials have said that while the precondition of releasing these prisoners is not on the table, Sinwar can still improve the conditions of 1,500 Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails in what is defined as a gesture of goodwill by Israel.
Among the things Israel is willing to put on the negotiating table is the formulation of arrangements for the exchange of prisoners and bodies at the end of military campaigns.
"We can talk about" the 20 prisoners arrested during Operation Protective Edge and the bodies of 20 Palestinian combatants Israel has captured during the fighting, the official said.
"Hamas is interested in exhausting us, but Israeli society has changed since the Shalit deal," he added.
3 july 2016
The family of the missing Israeli soldier Shaul Arun on Sunday obstructed the movement of trucks heading to blockaded Gaza via the Karem Abu Salem crossing, calling for the release of their captured son.
The family of Shaul Aron, an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas, blocked the movement of trucks at the Karem Abu Salem border crossing to push for the release of their son.
“The Israeli government reneged on its promises to bring Shaul back. We’ve been waiting for two years but to no avail,” Shaul’s parents told reporters at the crossing.
Shaul’s father said the Israeli occupation government sent his son to Gaza and has to bring him back at the soonest time possible.
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper said the Israeli government has received pledges from the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to serve as a broker party to bring back missing soldiers.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, updated the captives’ families on the Turkish pledge in an attempt to soothe their anger.
On Sunday July 20, 2014 spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades - the armed wing of Hamas Movement, Abu Ubeida, announced that soldier Shaul Aron has been held captive by the group. The Israeli occupation army claimed he was killed.
The family of Shaul Aron, an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas, blocked the movement of trucks at the Karem Abu Salem border crossing to push for the release of their son.
“The Israeli government reneged on its promises to bring Shaul back. We’ve been waiting for two years but to no avail,” Shaul’s parents told reporters at the crossing.
Shaul’s father said the Israeli occupation government sent his son to Gaza and has to bring him back at the soonest time possible.
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper said the Israeli government has received pledges from the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to serve as a broker party to bring back missing soldiers.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, updated the captives’ families on the Turkish pledge in an attempt to soothe their anger.
On Sunday July 20, 2014 spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades - the armed wing of Hamas Movement, Abu Ubeida, announced that soldier Shaul Aron has been held captive by the group. The Israeli occupation army claimed he was killed.
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