In the late afternoon of yesterday I started to leak then the first reports confirmed late in the evening: an agreement was reached between the Israeli government and the terrorist group Hamas to free Gilad Shalit. The Israeli soldier, in the hands of terrorists since 2006, will be released in exchange for the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, among whom, however, there will be the big shots of Palestinian terrorism.
The agreement was reached through the mediation efforts of Egypt and Yoram Cohen, the new head of the Shin Bet, the Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, and the head of Mossad, Tamir Pardo, who in recent weeks woven the web of relationships needed to reach agreement with Hamas. But an agreement has not convinced everyone in Israel and that even within the government has caused major divisions such as the Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, contrary to release over 1,000 prisoners for one man. Lieberman, in truth, did not raise the question of whether or not to release so many prisoners for Shalit only, but expressed concern that this case becomes a dangerous precedent that encourages the terrorists of Hamas to kidnap more Israelis so important to get a return.
It must be said that the initial demands of Hamas also included the release of personalities such as Marwan Barghouti, Abdullah Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat. After months of negotiation, however, those names have been removed from the long list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed in exchange for Shalit. This is perhaps the only consolation for those who were opposed to the exchange, such as just the Minister Lieberman.
In any case, the die is cast. Gilad Shalit will be freed and taken to Egypt when Israel has released prisoners, half of the defendants. When all the others will be released, Egypt will deliver the young Israeli soldier in Israel. All this should happen in the next few days.
According to analysts at the base of the agreement there would be no rapprochement between Hamas to Egypt after the simultaneous removal of the Palestinian terrorist group Tehran has always opposed to any negotiation with Israel. In essence it would be a crushing defeat “diplomatic” and Iran, on the contrary, an Egyptian victory has long pursued which comes at a time of severe difficulty Egyptian executive.
In the coming days we’ll cover the many different backgrounds that form the basis of this important agreement. For the moment let’s enjoy the wonderful news and wait for the return home of Gilad Shalit.
Secondo Protocollo Israel
