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BREAKING NEWS IDF: Gilad Shalit back home in Israel
The Gilad Shalit prisoner swap as it happens
(Haaretz) – Minute-by- minute updates as the day, and the exchange, unfolds; Shalit family heads to to Tel Nof AFB as first stage of swap deal completed
May this be part of further steps to a peace deal with the Palestinian nation …
Political battle between Hamas and Fatah an obstruction for a peace deal
(Daily Maverick) – Besides the greater conflict with Israel, Hamas is also fighting a political battle against Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement. Fatah of course enjoys Western approbation, while Hamas has been blacklisted as a terrorist organisation; but it is Hamas that has held the sway over the Palestinan people in recent times. The Palestinian Authority’s bid to gain recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations has however warmed Abbas to many Palestinian people. Analysts point out that a surge in popularity for Abbas and Fatah may prove an insurmountable challenge to Hamas. Securing the release of one eighth of the Palestinian prison population in Israel is a statement of strength. With this deal, Hamas has cleverly displayed one-upmanship over Fatah and Abbas. Officially, however, Hamas has emphasised Palestinian unity, indicating that all factions of Palestinian society were reflected in the list of prisoners to be released.
The spectacular leaks from the Palestine Papers on Al-Jazeera last January proved that Abbas and Fatah had previously obstructed previous negotiations. In their own words it was revealed that Abbas and the PA preferred to keep Palestinians in Israeli prisons than to let Hamas have “victory”. It would appear that this deal has gone through a particular lack of interference from Abbas.
Officially, Fatah and Hamas are now meant to have patched up their differences towards the greater good. Earlier this year the rival Palestinian factions signed a reconciliation agreement that was hailed as an important step towards achieving peace for the Palestinian people. While many doubt the integrity of the reconciliation agreement, the prisoner-swap deal may prove to be a product of Palestinian unity.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
