Hamas: Shalit΄s Affair Could End Within One Day

 
Source: Al-Manar TV, 11-12-2008
Senior Hamas leaders told "Israeli" Radio that captured soldier Gilad Shalit could be released within one day and blamed "Israel" for the slow negotiations for his release. "This affair could be finalized in one day if a courageous government is formed in 'Israel' and releases Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life," Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told "Israel" Radio on Thursday morning.
Zahar added that he did not think Shalit's case would last 900 days and rejected Red Cross visits to the captured soldier "for security reasons". Nevertheless, the Hamas leader stressed Islam treats hostages well.
He called on the Zionist state to accept the demands of the Palestinian resistance and free some 1,000 Palestinian prisoners from "Israeli" prisons.
Al-Zahar addressed reports that Gaza's residents recently received phone calls offering them a reward for information on Shalit. He called on "Israel" "to stop these ridiculous attempts, and instead delve deeply into the matter and accept the demands in order to end the affair."
According to Yediot Aharonot, diplomatic and political sources have harshly criticized Tel Aviv's moves in the recent weeks, following its approval of a prisoner release as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas regardless of the Shalit affair.
The criticism increased on Wednesday following War Minister Ehud Barak's order to transfer NIS 100 million to banks in the West Bank and Gaza, claiming that without the money the Palestinian banking system would collapse.