The Hamas government has finally torn off the mask and is calling for a prisoner exchange, which tells you all you need to know about their concern for the captured Israeli:
The Hamas-led Palestinian government on Wednesday called for a prisoner swap with Israel, saying Israel’s invasion of Gaza would not secure the release of a captured soldier.
[…] In a statement, the Palestinian Information Ministry said it is “natural logic” to carry out an exchange. “This has been exercised by previous Israeli governments with Hezbollah and the PLO, and this is what other countries do in conflict situations,” the statement said.
The EU has, wait, let me put this into UN-speak: Called on both parties to show restraint, and calls on the palestinians to release Cpl. Shalit and on the Israelis to stop, uh, shelling stuff.
Austria, the current president of the EU, also called for the IDF soldier’s “immediate and unconditional release.”
Austria urged “the Palestinian leadership to undertake all necessary efforts in this regard” and called on all parties to show restraint and to “avoid further escalation.”
And speaking of Cpl. Shalit, listen to what his father wants:
“The emphasis here is on an intelligent, rather than impassioned, operation,” Shalit said. “We would like no additional injuries, not among IDF troops and certainly not among innocent civilians on both sides, Israeli and Palestinian. This is of the utmost importance to us.”
That’s the difference between us and them. No calls to “open the gates of hell” or “make the earth shake” in vengeance. A call that neither side will suffer harm. Mr. Shalit is a mensch.
In Ynet, an article that says there is more to Operation Summer Rains than just finding the captives.
While the Israel Defense Forces’ Operation Summer Rains continued, Southern Command Chief Major-General Yoav Galant said that other concealed operations are also being carried out as part of the effort to return kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
“This operation has hidden and known aspects, which is characteristic of such events,” Galant said upon arriving Wednesday afternoon at an area near Kibbutz Mefalsim, where the Israel Defense Forces gathered ahead of entering the Strip as part of the operation.
[…] “It also enables us to control the Rafah crossing and what is happening in it, as well as carry out other operations. This is only one dimension of our overall effort,” he said.
This is why I don’t think Cpl. Shalit will be released:
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Many Palestinians think a captured Israeli soldier should not be released without major concessions from Israel – despite an Israeli ground and air assault on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday meant to recover him.
[…] “Even if they slaughter 100,000 Palestinians, this is a chance that can’t be lost. It’s the only way the prisoners will be able to get out,” said Bassem al Khoudry, 35, owner of a fast food stand in Gaza City. “If they release him with nothing in return, they would betray their nation, their prisoners.”
Aussie Dave is blogging from Israel. His latest post is here. Vital Perspective is also keeping track of things.
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