Israel

Israel negotiates 1,000 person exchange for soldier

Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal praised a deal with Israel to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier. Schalit was captured in a cross-border raid by Gaza based militants in 2006. Mashaal stated that 450 prisoners would be released within a week, while the rest of the prisoners would be released in the next 2 months. The agreement includes prisoners from east Jerusalem, Israeli Arabs, and all females and minors. It was also pointed out that 2/3 of the prisoners being exchanged for Schalit were serving long prison terms.

This prisoner exchange is a big step in potential improved relations between Israel and the Gaza Strip. This exchange could lay the groundwork for open negotiations to create a more peaceful border between the two. The exchange could also give hope to residents of the Gaza Strip for a transfer of airspace, territorial water, and offshore maritime access to its government. This transfer of access would give the Gaza Strip, and whoever controls the strip, greater negotiating power in the world. Whether said government continues to be Hamas, Palestine, or a new entity altogether, only time will tell.

Liberal

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=241396

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15454237,00.html

October 11, 2011 at 9:53 pm