Egypt: Israel rejected terms for soldier's release

Yedioth Ahronoth ^ | June 29, 2006 | Joseph Nasr

[West Coast Conservative]

Hamas has conditionally agreed to free a kidnapped Israeli soldier, but Israel rejected the Islamic group's terms for his release, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told Egypt's leading daily al-Ahram.

Mubarak described talks with Hamas as "positive" but said he warned leaders of the group against holding on to their "extreme positions," urging them to pursue a responsible policy.

In compliance with Cairo's demands Israel froze a planned incursion into the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday night to give Egyptian mediators more time to secure the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit.

Shalit was kidnapped in an attack on an Israel Defense Forces' post near Gaza on Sunday. Two soldiers were killed in the attack.

Al-Ahram reported that in a conversation by phone with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Mubarak urged that Israel act with restraint, and warned the Israeli leader that military action in Gaza is likely to claim the lives of innocent civilians, which in turn will fuel Palestinian groups to seek revenge.

Olmert promised that Israel will spare no effort to ensure the safety of innocent civilians.

Mubarak also held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Syrian President Bashar Assad and French President Jacques Chirac, the newspaper reported.

[Michael Goldsberry]

No negotiations with terrorists!

[jocko12]

Fire UP THE TANK ENGINE AND GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD.

[Dog]

And now Israel turns up the heat a notch or two.

[thiscouldbemoreconfusing]

Sha'al shalowm Yruwshalaim.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Hamas has conditionally agreed to free a kidnapped Israeli soldier, but Israel rejected the Islamic group's terms for his release..."

Hamas crossed Israel's international sovereign border and kidnapped a uniformed soldier. Some consider that an act of war. Hamas must be made to return the solider immediately without conditions.

[baltoga]

Agreed, but I suspect a sequence of releases will be initiated on both sides with each claiming victory. For example, Hamas release the soldier and Israel released detained Hamas political leaders.

[Radix]

I am in accord with first few posts here that I was actually able to read.

Lets just get it done!

[knarf]

I don't want to think this .. but if they slaughtered an 18 year old innocent so quickly .. the Israeli soldier is dead also ... Hamas is grass.

[C210N]

Not only have they already done the deed, but they'll probably claim that Israel did it while he was being wined and dined within the Interior Ministry when it was blown up.

[processing please hold]

No negotiations with terrorist!

That needs to be repeated.

[ArmyTeach]

Hamas release the soldier and Israel released detained Hamas political leaders. NOT! One soldier in exchange for an undetermined number of murdering terrorists? That would a recipe for disaster, encouraging more kidnapping and murder! We are where we are today because we've taken this approach in the past. Do not reward terrorism. The soldier must be unconditionally returned, without so much as a scratch, bruise, or black eye. Nothing less is acceptable and will have consequences.

[Popman]

Why doesn't Israel just declare their solider a Russian citizen and let Putin take care of the problem

"Hey, Olmert, you can pick your guy up in 20 minutes, just don't send in the KGB "

[seasoned traditionalist]

"Hamas crossed Israel's international sovereign border and kidnapped a uniformed soldier. Some consider that an act of war. Hamas must be made to return the solider immediately without conditions."

Agreed. However, has anyone checked with our SCOTUS re: their "[non]interpretation" of Geneva Convention and what they [might] perceive as "status" of "kidnapped military soldiers"?

[baltoga]

That is tough love.