Israel may come to rue the day if, as is likely, some of the released Palestinian prisoners resume their terrorist acts. That has happened in previous lopsided prisoner exchanges. If nothing else, this swap will encourage more kidnappings of Israeli soldiers.
Here are some excerpts from an op-ed by Edmund Sanders that was published in Wednesday’s Jewish World Review:
Israel and Hamas announced an agreement Tuesday to free Gilad Shalit, who was abducted in a cross-border raid near Gaza Strip, in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel and Hamas announced an agreement Tuesday to free Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was abducted in 2006 during a cross-border raid near Gaza Strip, in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Shalit's captivity has long been a source of national anguish in Israel. In a country where most young people are required to serve in Israel's army, nearly every household could identify with the Shalit family's pain.
Palestinian prisoners slated to be released include some high-profile Palestinian leaders and
many militants accused of killing Israelis in terrorist attacks.
Shalit and about 450 Palestinian prisoners are expected be released in the coming week, with an additional 550 prisoners set free two months later, Hamas officials said.
In Gaza, relatives and supporters of the Palestinian prisoners fired gunshots in the air and set off fireworks to celebrate what is believed to be the biggest prisoner swap in Palestinian history. Many revelers chanted slogans in support of the Izzidin al-Qassam Brigade, the group believed to have orchestrated Shalit's capture.
"We call on Palestinian armed groups to kidnap more Israeli soldiers in order to release the rest of our prisoners from Israeli jails," said Gaza resident Alaa Moughrabi.
Israeli officials said Marwan Barghouti, a popular leader who was sentenced to five life terms for his role in organizing past uprisings, will not be let go.
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