Hamas Rejects Unprecedented Deal for Schalit

Arutz Sheva ^ | 18/6/11 | Gavriel Queennan

[Eleutheria5]

The London-based Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Friday that Hamas's military wing vetoed a 'good deal' offered by Israel.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Friday for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Schalit has been held by Hamas for five years without visits from international bodies such as the Red Cross.

Sources from Merkel's office said a draft of a final agreement for Shalit's release prompted the joint statement. German mediators in the Shalit deal reportedly visited Gaza two months ago.

According to the sources a thousand Palestinian prisoners would be handed over in exchange for Schalit, but the Hamas military wing vetoed the proposal.

Other sources close to the negotiations indicated France and Germany offered to extend de facto recognition to the Hamas government in Gaza, which would allow for European investment in the territory, and were working to ease border restrictions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "offered Hamas a good deal, better than anything offered by Olmert," Al-Sharq al-Awsat" said.

[Eleutheria5]

Thank you, Hamas, for being prisoner to your own stupidity, and thereby saving us from well-meaning idiots and weak-kneed PMs.

[piytar]

My response:

One missile will be fired into Hamas territory - a large one - targeting Hamas assets tomorrow. Two the next day. Then four. Then eight. Etc. Until Schalit it returned alive and in good health.

If he’s returned injured or dead, the missiles won’t stop until all Hamas assets are destroyed.

And then do it.

[Genoa]

Stupid, or maybe they just prefer a simmering state of war. Or maybe they prefer to hold out for a future overall deal that will be forced on Israel, with very advantageous terms for the Palestinians. Why hurry when it pays to wait?

[martinidon]

The Israeli's should start all all out offensive against Hamas and tell them it will not stop until they release Schalit.

[rawhide]

I wonder if he is alive still?

[Lancey Howard]

[Venturer]

Nothing stupid about Hamas.

As long as Israel has these prisoners, they are feeding them ,clothing them, and keeping them out of Hamas hair.

Hamas doesn’t need these prisoners, they don’t want them.

[montag813]

According to the sources a thousand Palestinian prisoners would be handed over in exchange for Schalit

WHAT A DISGRACE! Bibi should hang his head in shame. Schalit was an idiot teenager who strayed into the open and got caught. They will NEVER, EVER harm him, because they know it would spell the end of Hamas. Israel should NEVER, EVER trade a SINGLE prisoner for this doofus. A THOUSAND? And what if 20 Israeli children are murdered by them in the future? Is that worth it? and Schalit's parents make me sick. they are so selfish.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Eleutheria5.

Schalit has been held by Hamas for five years without visits from international bodies such as the Red Cross... German mediators in the Shalit deal reportedly visited Gaza two months ago. According to the sources a thousand Palestinian prisoners would be handed over in exchange for Schalit, but the Hamas military wing vetoed the proposal.

[CdMGuy]

Disappointed in Netanyahu over this. They should not trade anyone for this Israeli. If anything, they should tell Hamas that unless he is returned uninjured, that Israel will commence bombing of all known Hamas sites.

[originalbuckeye]

Have there been any recent photos of him with a current newspaper? I am not clear that he’s actually still alive.

[Eleutheria5]

I’d be willing to take his place as hostage and let the youngster have a life, but not one terrorist should go free.