- This month, the Hamas Movement managed to secure the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli-French soldier, Sargent Gilad Shalit. In the past, Israeli negotiators have point blank refused any suggestion of releasing prisoners from territories other than the West Bank and Gaza. However, this historic exchange saw the release of prisoners from inside the Golan Heights, Jerusalem and within Israel itself. The first phase of the exchange saw more than 450 prisoners released while the second phase is due to be confirmed within the next few weeks.
- So what does this mean for the two sides and the future of any peace deal? The Guardian's Jonathan Freedland wrote quite an insightful opinion piece which held that Shalit's release would bring a few weeks of positivity for Israel, however the fact remains that the real obstacles to any peace deal still remain - including a corrupt PA; continued settlement expansion (legalised and otherwise); the status of Jerusalem as the 'undivided capital of Israel' etc. What is certain is that Israel's oft cited sentiment of there being 'no partners for peace' can no longer be used to silence the international community into accepting the status quo. As for Hamas it is thought that the deal will significantly enhance its popularity and credibility. "By securing the release of prisoners from all over historic Palestine and from all factions, the Islamic Resistance Movement has positioned itself firmly as a principled and committed force for Palestinian national unity."
- A Ha'aretz piece by Carlo Strenger looked at the 'missed golden opportunity' to release the Palestinian political prisoner, Marwan Barghouti. Seen as the 'strong unifier of all Palestinian camps', Strenger suggests that the reason Barghouti was left off the list of prisoners to be released was the same reason that Netanyahu committed to a deal with Hamas over Fatah - to keep the two-state solution out of reach. Barghouti, Strenger writes, is the strongest candidate to bring forth a viable two-state solution, and his release would strengthen Fatah's leadership and most likely keep a Hamas victory at bay. However, keeping him imprisoned allows for the status quo to remain, and for Netanyahu, to continue paying lip-service to the international community without rebuke - an art form he has mastered in his years in office.
- On the other hand, the Jerusalem Post editorial went on a polemic rant about what an embarrassment the deal was to Israel and that any further deals would only act to strengthen the Palestinian side. Abbas' recent claims that Ehud Olmert had promised to release Barghouti in exchange for Gilad Shalit, which was further supported by an Israeli member of the Knesset, further incensed the author, who suggests that Israel has done more than its fair share in appeasing the Palestinians.
- Egypt also secured a prisoner swap deal of 25 Egyptians in exchange for the Israeli-American soldier, Ilan Grapel, detained 4 months ago on suspicion of spying.
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