Home inContext Possible Prisoner Swap?

Possible Prisoner Swap?

Samara Greenberg
SOURCE

Yesterday, Israel released Hamas member Aziz Dweik, who was jailed in 2006 following Hamas’ abduction of Israeli corporal Gilad Shalit. Dweik was only two month shy of completing his 3-year sentence, a punishment for his membership in Hamas, an illegal organization.

The Palestinian news agency, Ma’an news, speculates that Dweik’s release may be part of a prisoner swap to release a kidnapped Israeli, Gilad Shalit. Although Israeli and Palestinian sources denied the report, a well-placed Palestinian source said that progress is being made in negotiations for his release.

Tomorrow marks the 3-year anniversary of Shalit’s abduction by Hamas during a cross-border terrorist attack. The Red Cross has repeatedly petitioned Hamas to allow it to visit Shalit, and for the soldier to contact his family. Shalit’s parents, Noam and Aviva, have also petitioned France, Britain, United States, and EU officials for help. All pleads have been to no avail.