Hamas and Israel Agree in Principle To Deal That Will Return Captured Israeli Soldier Gilad Shalit to Israel

According to reports from various media outlets and Hamas and Israeli officials, Hamas and Israel have reached a prisoner swap agreement that will see the release of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit.  Officials from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have confirmed the talks.  Corporal Shalit was abducted by Hamas during a cross border raid on June 25^th 2006.  Since his abduction, Hamas has provided Israel with proof of life, the latest being a video in 2009.  However, Hamas has refused international humanitarian agencies, such as the International Red Cross, to monitor his status.

Previous efforts to secure Corporal Shalit’s release have failed, and it is unclear

whether this deal will in fact go through. However, Prime Minsiter Netanyahu has called an urgent cabinet meeting to discuss the arrangement.  There is certain to be contention within the Israeli government over which Palestinian prisoners will be released, specifically Marwan Barghouti, who Hamas will most likely demand be set free.  Barghouti is in prison for the murder of Israeli civilians and attacks on Israeli soldiers, but is still a highly influential figure in Palestinian politics.  Many Palestinians believe he is capable of politically unifying Hamas and Fatah.  Israel, however, may be hesitant to release someone as high-profile as Barghouti, fearing he will later help contribute to terrorist attacks againstIsrael.

More to come as the story develops…