Report: Israel ready to free all prisoners Hamas demands for Shalit

[bemildred]

The Saudi newspaper Ukaz on Thursday quoted a Palestinian source as saying that Israel has relayed to Hamas it is ready to release all the Palestinian prisoners the militant group demands in return for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

According to the source, top Israeli negotiator Amos Gilad has informed Egypt of Israel's intention to hand over the prisoners.

Israel Radio reported Thursday that Amos Gilad, a senior Defense Ministry official, denied the report, calling it completely untrue.

The Saudi paper further quoted the Palestinian source as saying that once prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni has formed a new coalition, the government will meet to approve the release of 450 prisoners.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1029209.html

[azurnoir]

1. I wonder if that includes Marwan Barghouti? n/t

[bemildred]

2. Yes, I was wondering that too, but it doesn't seem to say.

I would imagine that Palestinian politics on that question gets quite byzantine.

[shira]

3. why would Hamas want Bargouti free....

...so he can run for Fatah against Hamas in an election and put Hamas out of power?

[azurnoir]

4. Already been discussed

BTW Hamas reputedly asked for Barghouti's release

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=124&topic_id=218687#218714

[bemildred]

5. I was thinking more of Abu Mazen, but whatever.

You would think Hamas would not want him out; but on the other hand, he might support the unity government that Hamas has been wanting ever since they won the election, whereas Abbas has taken a rather intransigent view of his election loss, and has largely refused even to talk to Hamas in public. My only conclusion at this point is that projecting from US or Israeli politics into Palestinian politics is a mistake.

[Vegasaurus]

6. Do you really think

that without any Israeli or American influence, the two Palestinian factions could find unity?

I haven't seen this in other Arab nations, such as Iraq, where there is much conflict and fratricide.

I just wonder whether the US and Israel become a convenient scapegoat, and easy to blame for the internal problems.

If this is not true, what evidence do we have that they could form a unity government?

[bemildred]

7. LOL.

Do you really think that without the "Arab influence" the Israelis could find unity?

I have no idea what would happen if Israel and the USA decided to somehow stop "influencing" the Palestinians, I merely reported what has been said. I admit that it's hard for me to see how it could make things worse, from a Palestinian point of view, if the Israelis and USA decided to let them run their own affairs.