Israeli and Palestinian officials say the Israeli government has reached an agreement with the Palestinian militant group Hamas to free captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Egyptian-mediated agreement says Hamas will exchange Shalit for the freedom of about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his cabinet on October 11 night to approve an exchange of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit reportedly for about 1,000 Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons. The young Israeli soldier has been held captive for more than five years. Netanyahu said that if everything went smoothly, Shalit would return home within days. Netanyahu said he believes Israel reached the best agreement possible before the window of opportunity could have closed for good. He said the agreement was signed on October 11. The soldier’s family and supporters were jubilant over the news. Celebrations also broke out in the Gaza Strip, which has been … [Read more...] about Israel, Hamas Agree on Prisoner Exchange for Captured Soldier
Israel
Israel’s High Court backs prisoner-swap deal
Israel 's High Court of Justice on Monday night denied four petitions against a deal that would set free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian and Arab prisoners. After nearly a whole day's hearing and deliberation, the court decided to reject four petitions filed against the prisoner-swap, paving the way for the implementation of the deal's first phase, which will see the release of Shalit and 477 Arab and Palestinian security prisoners. The plaintiffs claimed that the deal, signed with the Islamic movement Hamas in Cairo last week, is an affront to the bereaved families of victims of terror attacks and will serve to encourage future attacks. The opponents are urging the court to delay the Palestinian and Arab prisoners' release to enable more discussion on the deal's implications for Israel's security. According to the terms of the agreement, the remaining prisoners will be freed within two months. While 79 percent of the Israeli public rallied … [Read more...] about Israel’s High Court backs prisoner-swap deal
Israel offers talks with Palestinians over UN bid
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to hold direct talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at the UN General Assembly. Mr Abbas earlier said he was willing to meet Mr Netanyahu but was determined to push ahead with a bid for UN recognition of a Palestinian state. The US and Israel oppose the bid and there has been intense diplomacy to avert a crisis over the move. Peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel broke down a year ago. The Palestinians are seeking international recognition of their state based on the borders that existed in 1967. This would give the Palestinians the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Israel and the US say a Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiation, but the Palestinian leadership says this approach has got them nowhere. Mr Abbas has said he will launch the process on Friday, when he submits a written request to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon after his address to the General … [Read more...] about Israel offers talks with Palestinians over UN bid
Palestinians wants Israel to implement earlier agreement to free more prisoners
The Palestinian leadership will urge the international community to press Israel to implement an old pledge to free more Palestinian prisoners, a Palestinian official said Wednesday. The Palestinian National Authority's (PNA) intention to press for the release of prisoners came a day after Israel and Palestinian Hamas movement exchanged prisoners. Saeb Erekat, the senior Palestinian negotiator, said it was agreed two years ago with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to release another group of Palestinian prisoners. Erekat added that the number of prisoners to be released according to that agreement equals the number of prisoners released as part of the Israel-Hamas deal. On Tuesday, Israel retrieved Gilad Shalit, the soldier kidnapped by Hamas in 2006 and held hostage since, and in return, released 477 Palestinian prisoners as the first stage of an agreement. Within two months, Israel would free another 550 prisoners, according to the agreement with Hamas, which Egypt … [Read more...] about Palestinians wants Israel to implement earlier agreement to free more prisoners
Palestinian president requests statehood; Israel calls for talks
Palestinian President Mahoud Abbas put forth a historic UN membership bid for an independent state of Palestine on September 23; a move Israel says is premature without direct talks that address its longstanding security concerns. The formal application, viewed as a largely symbolic gesture because an American veto is all but assured should the request come to a vote in the Security Council, drew applause in the assembly when the Palestinian leader raised the document at the podium during his speech at the 66th annual session of the General Assembly. The time has come for a "Palestinian Spring" to join the Arab Spring in reshaping the Middle East, he said. "My people desire to exercise their right to enjoy a normal life like the rest of humanity." But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, later taking his turn to address the General Assembly, said Palestinians are looking for a "state without peace," ignoring security concerns important to Israel. He said … [Read more...] about Palestinian president requests statehood; Israel calls for talks