Posted on 07/01/2006 7:24:17 PM PDT by Esther Ruth
Egypt to Hamas: Sunday Morning Deadline 05:00 Jul 02, '06 / 6 Tammuz 5766 by Hana Levi Julian
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak gave Hamas terrorists until Sunday morning to decide whether to accept his proposal for the release of their hostage, IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit.
“The proposal is that the Israeli soldier will be freed immediately and in return, Israel will release prisoners in the near future,” said Palestinian Authority sources quoted by the Haaretz news service.
Mubarek has reportedly pushed Syrian President Bashar Assad to pressure exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal, whose headquarters are based in Damascus.
“At first, the Hamas leadership rejected the proposal, saying it could not rely on Israel to release prisoners. The Egyptians informed them that they would receive a personal guarantee from Mubarak for the future release of the prisoners,” said the PA source.
Hizbullah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, meanwhile, urged the terrorists not to release Shalit unless something is offered in return. By Saturday night, Egyptian patience was waning and the terrorists were informed that their response was expected by Sunday morning.
At that time, Egyptian said, it would end its participation in the negotiations and the IDF would step up its military action in Gaza.
Shalit’s captors demanded that Israel release 1,000 prisoners and stop all military action in Gaza – however, they have not committed themselves to freeing Shalit in return. The demand was signed by the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), the Army of Islam and the military wing of Hamas.
Complicating the picture is the uncertainty as to who exactly is calling the shots within Hamas. Sources close to PA President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday that there is a power struggle developing between Hamas Chairman and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and the terrorists who are holding Shalit. The kidnappers are apparently operating under Mashaal’s orders from Damascus.
“Hamas political leaders outside are saying the decision is in the hands of its military wing inside Gaza, while the military wing is saying the decision is in the hands of the political leadership outside. Ismail Haniyeh,,,. appears not to have any say in what is going on in this regard,” said sources in Abbas’ office.
Israeli officials have repeated that they will not negotiate with terrorist organizations.
Published: 04:49 July 02, 2006 Last Update: 05:00 July 02, 2006
I'm guessing that Gilad Shalit is dead.
As far as I know, and can find out, Israel has not agreed to release anyone. Where does Egypt get off saying they will?
What a mess.
bttt
On the other hand (just like Tevye), it may be desperation on the part of Hamas, knowing that if they hand him over and he IS dead, Israel may just obliterate Hamas as an organization, literally going house to house to dismantle Hamas as an organization...
I pray that he is still alive, though..
The strike on the PM's office at night, indicates very clearly to Hamas, that this could easily have been done or could very easily be done during the day.
Simply put, they are embarrassing Hamas.
How refreshing, the media calls a terrorist a terrorist.
I wouldn't be surprised if he was dead, God bless him, to be such a pawn in this situation...
to give Hamas face. Then Hamas can turn around weeks later and said the "jews lied to us" yada yada. if they hand them over without getting anyhting in return then they look like cowards and I dont think you get 72 virgins for being a coward
up next.....their parlimentary building(if they even have one)
there are also the Hamas leaders that Israel took in the last few days. Israel has said these "prisoners" would be released on return of Gilad Shalit.
What a mess the pals have gotten themsleves into.....again. Time to stop this crap once and for all.
When Shalit's cold body is delivered, I hope Israel returns all 10, 100, or 1000 of them in the same condition.
Well, it's Sunday morning already over there, and I read on another thread here that a second soldier has been kidnapped.
If Israel releases anyone in return for their soldier they will have demonstrated weakness - again. If he isn't released they should simply kill or confine every member of Hamas they can get their hands on. Wearing green? Dead or in prison should be the response.
It's called war. In war you don't concede because you might lose a soldier. Before Hamas was elected one could consider these attacks as isolated terror attacks...now the Hamas terrorists have been duly elected and it should be called what it is; War. All Palestinians are responsible. Maybe after they are defeated they will be more careful when they vote.
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