In the framework of negotiations over the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, "we are looking into the possibility of handing him over to Egypt until Israel fulfills the Palestinians and the abductors' demand to free Palestinian prisoners," a senior Palestinian official told Ynet Tuesday.
The negotiations over Shalit's release continue, mainly via Egyptian mediation. One of the central clauses of the talks stipulates that there will be no direct contacts between the Israeli government and Hamas.
According to the agreement that is being formulated by both sides, whose basic principles were agreed upon by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin, Shalit is to be transferred either to Egypt or to Abbas' hands. In exchange, Israel will cease military operations, primarily in the Strip, suspend all targeted killings and work to release Palestinian prisoners. Once the prisoners are freed, Shalit will be returned to Israel. The new clause in this deal refers to the possibility that Shalit be handed over to the Egyptians.
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Egyptian sources confirmed the report, but said it has not been decided yet whether Shalit will be transferred to Egypt or to Abbas. Officials in Cairo said that no breakthrough has been registered in the negotiations until now, but stated that "this is the outline aimed at resolving the Shalit affair."
Really this is getting stranger and stranger. Why would Egypt even consider hosting captive Israeli Corporal Shalit for ransom for Hamas on Egyptian soil? Do the words English words “aiding and abetting” not have an Arab or Hebrew equivalent? I would have presumed that holding an Israeli hostage for ransom would be in direct violation with the peace agreement Egypt signed with Israel. What an incredibly poor precedent it would set if Israeli Shin Bet head plays ball.
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