(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) David Makovsky - Hamas secured the release of more than 1,000 prisoners in exchange for a single Israeli. The names and crimes of those being freed are significant. Many of those being let out are Hamas officials, replenishing the group's ranks. Hamas leader Khaled Mashal has stated that these officials "will return to...the national struggle." In securing the release of six Israeli Arabs, Hamas has succeeded in pushing Israel to conduct negotiations that involve Israeli citizens.
2011-10-17 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive