Movement on Gilad Shalit

Hamas is supposedly near a deal that will release Cpl. Gilad Shalit. Ha’aretz blames Israel for holding up the deal.

GAZA – A source involved in negotiations for the release of soldier Gilad Shalit told Haaretz that Israel was the one holding up the implementation of a deal that could lead to his release.

The source, who is located in the Gaza Strip, said Israel and Hamas have agreed on the principle of exchanging Shalit for Palestinian prisoners, but that the two parties have not yet decided the exact nature of the deal or how it will be carried out.

He said the kidnappers, with whom he is in contact, have made realistic demands. The source would not say how many prisoners Hamas is demanding in the swap, but he did say the number is not in the thousands, as had previously been stated.

Mind you, I’m skeptical about this. No good can come from a lopsided prisoner exchange. They’ve been done in the past. They don’t work for Israel. I think Israel can put more pressure on Hamas over this one. The natives are getting restless.

Palestinian government spokesperson and Hamas official criticizes chaos, violence in Gaza, says Israeli occupation couldn’t be blamed for all; calls on Palestinians to admit to mistakes

No, really.

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Thousands of angry civil servants turned up the pressure on the beleaguered Hamas government Wednesday, marching to demand payment of overdue wages and winning Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ blessing for a major strike next week.

I’d say the peasants were revolting, but it’s such an obvious line… oh, wait. Never mind.