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Security Officials Warn Against Release of Terrorists to West Bank

(Jerusalem Post) - Yaakov Katz As Israel's leaders on Monday discussed a proposed prisoner swap for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, senior defense officials said that a mass release of security prisoners to the West Bank would give Hamas a substantial boost and create major operational challenges and danger for the State of Israel. Hamas wants senior prisoners to return to the West Bank to try and rebuild the terrorist group's infrastructure. "A massive release to the West Bank could alter the balance," said one IDF officer, who noted that in recent weeks the army has been facing an increase in terrorist activity in the territories, mostly sporadic stonings, stabbing attempts and Molotov cocktail attacks. A report published last year by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs reported that out of the more than 10,000 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel since 1985, over 50% have returned to the path of terror. "In the terror acts committed by these freed terrorists, hundreds of Israelis were murdered, and thousands were wounded," the report said. For example, those freed in the Tannenbaum deal (in 2004) have since been responsible for the murder of at least of 35 Israelis.
2009-12-22 07:56:44
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