Hamas Says Learned from Hizbullah Deal
Source: Al-Manar TV, 18-7-2008
In the aftermath of Wednesday's "Operation Al-Redwan" between "Israel" and Hizbullah, there are increasing calls in Hamas to replace the Egyptian mediators with German intermediaries in the talks on captured "Israeli" occupation soldier Gilad Schalit.
Several Hamas officials have been quoted over the past 24 hours as expressing deep disappointment with the way the Egyptians have been handling the Schalit mediation effort.
For now Hamas is refusing to discuss "Israel's" demand it make changes to the lists detailing which detainees it wants released in return for Shalit.
A Hamas source said that if "Israel" attempts to harden its positions as a direct reaction to the scathing public criticism following the release of detainee Samir Kintar, "Shalit will remain in captivity for decades."
The source said that while Hamas was prepared for the change in "Israel's" stance, the group does not see the situation as different in any way following the swap with Hizbullah.
"The two are unrelated, but the Kintar deal proves that patience and fortitude and a tough standing on the part of the Palestinian public will eventually lead to us seeing celebrations here (in Gaza) similar to those in Lebanon yesterday," he said.
According to the source Hamas has no intention of changing any of its demands. "The numbers and names are known, we are waiting for a clear "Israeli" answer."
The source also addressed the attempt to link the opening of the Rafah crossing to the prisoner exchange deal, saying that using the crossing as leverage will not influence Hamas. "The Shalit family should know that the "Israeli" government has tried to impose various things on us for over two years - and they have failed. We are ready to close the deal tomorrow, and the answer to why we aren't doing that rests with your government."
The source rejected the claims that the list of detainees being demanded by Hamas is too problematic for "Israel".
GERMAN TO REPLACE EGYPTIANS AS MEDIATORS?
Hamas' top representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, said in an interview with 'Al-Jazeera' that figures outside Hamas have been pressing his men to transfer the mediation reins on the Shalit issue from Egypt to Germany - which brokered the deal between "Israel" and Hizbullah.
Hamdan added that Kintar's release proves that Hamas' demand to free 1,000 minors and female detainees from "Israeli" jails is a viable stipulation, "and if we wage the battle right, we will ultimately reach the desired result."
Military officials in Tel Aviv, including War Minister Ehud Barak, have made it clear that there will be no discussion on the status of the Rafah crossing without substantial progress on Shalit.
An official familiar with the proceedings said that there is no possibility of releasing hundreds of the detainees Hamas is demanding. However - several cabinet ministers are becoming increasingly convinced that the "Israeli" government must prepare for the release of 'high-profile' detainees.
""Israel" will have to pay a heavy price, certainly after releasing Kintar to bring Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev home," said "Israeli" officials.
In the aftermath of Wednesday's "Operation Al-Redwan" between "Israel" and Hizbullah, there are increasing calls in Hamas to replace the Egyptian mediators with German intermediaries in the talks on captured "Israeli" occupation soldier Gilad Schalit.
Several Hamas officials have been quoted over the past 24 hours as expressing deep disappointment with the way the Egyptians have been handling the Schalit mediation effort.
For now Hamas is refusing to discuss "Israel's" demand it make changes to the lists detailing which detainees it wants released in return for Shalit.
A Hamas source said that if "Israel" attempts to harden its positions as a direct reaction to the scathing public criticism following the release of detainee Samir Kintar, "Shalit will remain in captivity for decades."
The source said that while Hamas was prepared for the change in "Israel's" stance, the group does not see the situation as different in any way following the swap with Hizbullah.
"The two are unrelated, but the Kintar deal proves that patience and fortitude and a tough standing on the part of the Palestinian public will eventually lead to us seeing celebrations here (in Gaza) similar to those in Lebanon yesterday," he said.
According to the source Hamas has no intention of changing any of its demands. "The numbers and names are known, we are waiting for a clear "Israeli" answer."
The source also addressed the attempt to link the opening of the Rafah crossing to the prisoner exchange deal, saying that using the crossing as leverage will not influence Hamas. "The Shalit family should know that the "Israeli" government has tried to impose various things on us for over two years - and they have failed. We are ready to close the deal tomorrow, and the answer to why we aren't doing that rests with your government."
The source rejected the claims that the list of detainees being demanded by Hamas is too problematic for "Israel".
GERMAN TO REPLACE EGYPTIANS AS MEDIATORS?
Hamas' top representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, said in an interview with 'Al-Jazeera' that figures outside Hamas have been pressing his men to transfer the mediation reins on the Shalit issue from Egypt to Germany - which brokered the deal between "Israel" and Hizbullah.
Hamdan added that Kintar's release proves that Hamas' demand to free 1,000 minors and female detainees from "Israeli" jails is a viable stipulation, "and if we wage the battle right, we will ultimately reach the desired result."
Military officials in Tel Aviv, including War Minister Ehud Barak, have made it clear that there will be no discussion on the status of the Rafah crossing without substantial progress on Shalit.
An official familiar with the proceedings said that there is no possibility of releasing hundreds of the detainees Hamas is demanding. However - several cabinet ministers are becoming increasingly convinced that the "Israeli" government must prepare for the release of 'high-profile' detainees.
""Israel" will have to pay a heavy price, certainly after releasing Kintar to bring Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev home," said "Israeli" officials.
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