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Israel Agrees to Exchange 1,000 Palestinian Prisoners for One Israeli Soldier
(New York Times) Ethan Bronner - Israel and Hamas announced an agreement on Tuesday to exchange more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for five years - Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit. In Damascus, Khaled Meshal, the political leader of Hamas, called the deal "a national accomplishment" for the Palestinians, who he said hoped to "cleanse the land, and liberate Jerusalem." Thousands poured into the streets in Gaza and the West Bank in celebration. Yehudit Shahor, whose teenage son Uri was killed by Palestinians in 1995, told Israeli television that "despite the fear I feel as an Israeli citizen and a terror victim, I am very happy for the Shalit family and feel moved as a mother that this boy will come home." She said she had no doubt that any killers among the released Palestinians would kill again, but added: "Even if this is a tough deal, a living boy must be returned home at all costs."