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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Hamas demands prisoners for Shalit
2006-08-16
Kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who is being held in the Gaza Strip, will be released only if Israel agrees to free thousands of Palestinian prisoners, a senior Hamas official announced on Tuesday. The announcement came as Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas held a closed meeting in Gaza City with PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and urged him to release Shalit immediately. The two also discussed the possibility of establishing a national unity government.

“To all those who are exerting pressure on us, we say: Enough! No Palestinian will ever agree to the release of the Israeli soldier without getting anything in return.”
Abbas, who arrived in the Gaza Strip on Monday, called on Hamas to release Shalit in return for promises that Israel would free Palestinian prisoners in the future. Abbas suggested that the soldier be handed over to the Egypt, which has been acting as a mediator ever since Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas last June. Egyptian mediators have been trying to persuade Hamas to soften its position, but to no avail. "Israel must pay a heavy price for its soldier," said Khalil al-Hayeh, head of Hamas's parliamentary list. "We have rejected demands to release the soldier in return for promises that Israel would release our prisoners sometime in the future."

Hayeh said Hamas was "disturbed" by pressure on the kidnappers to release Shalit unconditionally: "To all those who are exerting pressure on us, we say: Enough!" No Palestinian will ever agree to the release of the Israeli soldier without getting anything in return. They know what our conditions are and I don't think that they are hard to fulfill."
Posted by:Fred

#15  shut it all off. Gaza needs more consequences, obviously
Posted by: Frank G   2006-08-16 20:49  

#14  Israel needs to begin killing anyone idiotic enough to step forward with extortionate demands of this sort.

"Okay, who else wants to negotiate?" [/Korbin Dallas]

I agree, wxjames. Shut off the electricity and water. Then wait and see just how quickly Shalit is handed over. Personally (although I hope I'm wrong), I still doubt that Shalit is even alive.

How is it that the rest of the world manages to suppress any sense of outrage at this sort of blatant extortion? All UN members currently funding the Palestinians should each reduce their contributions by 10% whenever such nonsense is broached with a straight face. How many of them would submit to such ridiculous blackmailing? How is it that Israel is supposed to?

Israel should cluster up 1,000 Palestinian prisoners at an exchange point, take possession of Shalit and then blow all 1,000 of the terrorists and their handlers straight to hell.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-08-16 19:28  

#13  We need to give Israel 50 or so MOABs and a dozen C-130s to deliver them, and say "clear Gaza". I'm sure they can do it. Afterwards, bulldoze it flat and zone it for military maneuvers.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2006-08-16 14:56  

#12  Hamas demands prisoners for Shalit

Paleos: Can't we all just get along?

NSFW or the squeamish..

Palestinian Islamic Jihad "resistance" talking points.

Link [for High speed connection]

Let page load, click light colored bar at bottom
Posted by: RD   2006-08-16 14:46  

#11  Similar to the what is known in the U.S. as "The Welfare Mentality". The thought process seems to be similar anyway. "This is easy for you so I expect you to do this for me." Also generally goes hand in hand with spending money on trinkets and other unnecessary items while neglecting real neccessities.
Posted by: Mike N.   2006-08-16 13:05  

#10  Â“They know what our conditions are and I don't think that they are hard to fulfill."

Funny how extortionists always seem to take that point of view.
Posted by: DepotGuy   2006-08-16 12:16  

#9  BA. That's a new way to look at the prisoner exchange. LOL!
Posted by: Mike N.   2006-08-16 11:59  

#8  Wow! The Paleos up-stage the Egyptians and manage to belittle their peeps too. Yesterday, it was Egypt saying 600 prisoners for 1 soldier. Now, it's the Paleos saying "No, no, we want 2,000 prisoners for 1 soldier, and a pony too."

I can't believe the "Paleo Street" isn't protesting and seething. I know I would if my own gov't now says I'm only worth 1/2000th of a Jooooooo.
Posted by: BA   2006-08-16 11:16  

#7  No doubt - Olmert has lost all street cred in the ME, as witnessed yesterday by Assad's lip flapping and the hot wind coming out of Tehran. Now we have Leb Def Min saying no need to disarm the Hezbillies and the Paleos making outrageous demands. Olmert thought he could win on the cheap but now may be facing an even more expensive, expanded 2 front campaign.
Posted by: Rex Mundi   2006-08-16 10:53  

#6  Message to the Israeli leadership. This is where half-measures gets a Nation. You're the leaders and your people want you to lead them. It's time to lead or get out of the way.
Posted by: Mike N.   2006-08-16 10:25  

#5  You want something for Shalit ? Okay, we'll let Khalil al-Hayeh live. Deal ?
Now, we want something for water. All your weapons for starters.
Posted by: wxjames   2006-08-16 09:48  

#4  "thousands" of Palestinian prisoners

They see Olmert's weakness. It's time to start moving that security barrier toward the Mediterranean Sea, meter by meter. Was it Zenster or Anonymoose that originally suggested that? I want to properly credit the idea.
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-08-16 07:07  

#3  Gush was not conquered by "Palestinian warriors". It was given to give you a port and to know what beach front property is. It was also given to see how little you know.

I asked for Shalit back last MONTH.
Bear the consequence. Palestine is a terrorist organization? You figure it out.

No hostages have been released thus far?
Looks like Syria and Iran are in the "cross hairs."
Posted by: newc   2006-08-16 04:39  

#2  The Paleo disconnect boggles the mind. Israeli restraint is seen as weakness. Israel should shut all the gaza and west bank border crossings and not treat any paleos in their hospitals. Every good deed that the Israelis do is punished. I would also shut down the power in stages, and start limiting water. There is no PA, so there is no Oslo. Just start lowering the pressure gradually and phase all contact with the paleos. Let the Egyptians take care of these people. Pfeh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Kotzebue, Alaska   2006-08-16 03:34  

#1  Looks like all Hamass "bigwigs" are prepared to remain in their caves indefinitely.
Posted by: gorb   2006-08-16 02:58  

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