Timeline of key statements and diplomatic efforts to release Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit
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| Kidnapped Israeli Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit |
The possible release of Israeli Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit came a step closer to fruition Monday (Nov. 23) as leaders of Iran-backed Hamas – the terrorist group involved in kidnapping him more than three years ago[1] – met in Cairo with Egyptian officials to discuss details of a deal that could result in the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.[2]
Although no details of a final agreement have been made public, both sides said they had made progress toward securing a deal that could involve freeing more than 1,000 Palestinian soldiers in exchange for Shalit.[3] A Gaza-based Hamas spokesman said he expected the parties to reach a deal by Friday – the same time as the Muslim holiday “Eid al Adha.”[4]
Israeli officials are keeping mum about any possible agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, “Efforts to secure Gilad Shalit's release are continuously under way, out of the media's view, and we have no intentions of commenting beyond that.”[5]
The proposed multi-part deal involves Hamas turning Shalit over to Egyptian authorities in exchange for the release of 350-450 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, another 650 Palestinian prisoners once Shalit is in Israel and more still in subsequent weeks.[6] Among those released may be Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who was sentenced to five life sentences for murder.[7]
Shalit, who holds dual Israeli and French citizenship, was kidnapped in a cross-border raid by Hamas on June 25, 2006.[8] Until Oct. 2 when Hamas exchanged a video of Shalit for the release of 20 Palestinian prisoners,[9] Hamas offered few signs that the 22-year-old Israeli-French citizen was still alive, and refused to let the Red Cross or other aid groups visit him – a violation of the Geneva Convention.[10] Shalit was 19 when he was abducted.
Shalit was patrolling the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza Kerem Shalom border-crossing when seven terrorists infiltrated Israel through a tunnel originating in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. During the attack, they kidnapped Shalit, killed two other soldiers and injured four more.[11] In addition to Hamas, two other terrorist groups participated in the attack: the Popular Resistance Committees and the Army of Islam,[12] or Jaish al-Islam, an organization with a presence in Gaza that is linked to the global jihad movement.[13]
The attack and abduction occurred less than a year after Israel’s August 2005 Gaza disengagement, in which nearly 9,000 Israeli citizens left all of Gaza in hopes for peace.[14]
On the one-year anniversary of his kidnapping, Hamas released an audio recording of the soldier stating he was in poor health and posted it on its Web site, signaling that the terrorist group was indeed responsible for holding him captive.[15] In October 2008, the Shalit family received a letter from their captive son via the Carter Center in Ramallah, in which the soldier pleaded for his life.[16]
On Dec. 14, 2008 members of Iran-backed Hamas conducted a parade in Gaza in which they mocked Shalit and taunted his family. A Palestinian dressed up as Shalit in an Israeli army uniform addressed the crowd and said in Hebrew, “I miss my mom and dad.”[17]
Negotiations for Shalit’s release had until now proven fruitless. As recently as March 2009, Israel and Hamas came close to an agreement on a prisoner swap. Israel offered to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in return for Shalit. But the negotiations stalemated when Iran-backed Hamas demanded that the 1,000 prisoners include 450 who had killed Israeli civilians. A senior Hamas source then threatened that if Israel didn’t comply, Shalit would “remain imprisoned by us for eternity.”[18]
According to Israeli security officials, the 450 prisoners included senior terrorist engineers who planned and carried out “the most murderous terrorist attacks that the State of Israel has ever known.” Releasing and returning them to the West Bank and Gaza would severely endanger Israeli civilians.[19]
Despite these obstacles, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel was still “committed to bringing [Gilad Shalit] home, healthy and safe.”[20]
Some in Israel are opposed to any deal in which terrorist operatives responsible for the deaths of Israeli civilians are released.[21]
Three bereaved fathers from Haifa, whose children were killed in a terrorist attack, intend to petition the Israeli Supreme Court with a demand that the government publish the list of prisoners being released so that the public can engage in an informed debate on the issue.[22]
In a statement to the press, one of the fathers, Yossi Tzur, said, “We are currently busy setting up a coalition of officials and organizations who believe, like we do, that this is a disaster to the people of Israel.”[23]
The Forum of Bereaved Parents in Israel, for which Tzur is a representative, said in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “We, the mothers and fathers who have lost our sons and daughters in the atrocious acts of terrorists, some of which have been released in various gestures and deals...We ask you why? Why has the Israeli government chosen to gamble with the lives of our children? To destroy our families’ lives? How do you justify the lives of our children being neglected in order to save others?”[24]
Following is a timeline of key statements and diplomatic efforts to release kidnapped Israeli soldier, Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit, 2006 – 2009.
2009
Oct. 16: Israel releases two Syrian prisoners after 25 years of imprisonment.[25]
Oct. 4: Israel releases the last of 20 female Palestinian prisoners. Hamas turns over a two-minute video Oct. 2 proving Shalit is still alive.[26]
June 14: In a speech at Bar-Ilan University, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “We are committed to bringing [Gilad Shalit] home, healthy and safe.”[27]
June 4: Al Hayat, a pan-Arab newspaper, reports that indirect discussions about Shalit’s release have resumed.[28]
June 1: Netanyahu appoints Hagai Hadas, a former senior Mossad official, to lead negotiations for the Shalit’s release.[29]
April 30: In a speech honoring extraordinary soldiers before an Independence Day ceremony, Netanyahu states, “Every combat soldier knows that we will use all our capabilities in order to bring [Gilad Shalit] back home safe and sound.”[30]
March 28: Ofer Dekel, Israel’s senior negotiator for prisoner affairs travels to an unspecified destination abroad to continue talks about a prisoner exchange agreement.[31]
March 25: Hamas official Ali Barakeh says indirect negotiations are to resume with discussions regarding the exchange of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for Shalit.[32]
March 21: Exiled Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk says that Hamas is willing to resume negotiations regarding freeing prisoners that would lead to Shalit’s release.[33]
March 19: Hamas officials state that negotiations are suspended and that they will request the release of more prisoners when negotiations resume. A senior Hamas official told YnetNews, “If they want the soldier, they need to pay. If they don't want to pay, their soldier will remain imprisoned by us for eternity.” The price, according to the official, could be a “greater number than the 450 prisoners.”[34]
March 18: Hamas spokesman Osama Muzini says, “If Israel continues to drag its feet, Shalit will suffer the same fate as Ron Arad [missing Israeli airman since 1986].”[35]
March 17: The Israeli Cabinet meets to discuss Shalit’s release, including what caused the failure of the latest round of negotiations, specifically that Hamas reneged on previous written agreements that stipulated the release of less than 450 soldiers. Then Prime-Minister Ehud Olmert gives a statement reasserting his commitment to negotiating for Shalit’s release.[36]
March 16: Israeli negotiators return from Cairo without reaching an agreement with Hamas. Hamas insists on the release of 450 prisoners, while Israel requests that fewer will be released.[37]
March 14: Olmert sends Israel Security Agency Director Yuval Diskin and Special Envoy Ofer Dekel to Egypt for high-level negotiations to free Shalit.[38]
Feb. 8: Israel’s Defense Ministry Political-security Bureau Director Amos Gilad travels to Cairo for advanced negotiations on freeing Shalit.[39]
Jan. 22: An Israeli minister states, “There is a solid majority in the cabinet supporting the release of many murderers for Shalit's release."[40]
Jan. 11: Hamas official Abu Marzak states, "Shalit may have been wounded, and he may not have been. The subject no longer interests us."[41]
2008
Aug. 7: Israel’s Defense Ministry Political-security Bureau Director Amos Gilad travels to Egypt to continue negotiations for Shalit’s release. Hamas declares it will not talk with Israel until its demands are met.[42]
June 19: Israel and Hamas agree to truce in Gaza.[43]
May 12: Israel says no truce with Gaza is possible unless Shalit is released.[44]
April 6: Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official based in Damascus, threatens Hamas will kill Shalit if Hamas’s demands are not met.[45]
Feb. 18: Hamas says it is waiting on Israeli guarantees over the names and number of Palestinian prisoners who will be released in exchange for Shalit.[46]
Feb. 3: Then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert relaxes criteria for prisoners to be included in deal for Shalit’s return.[47]
2007
June 28: Olmert announces he will not agree to the number of Palestinian prisoners Hamas requests in exchange for Shalit.[48]
June 25: Hamas releases first audio message purported to be of Shalit on its Web site. In it, Shalit says his condition is deteriorating and Israel should meet Hamas’s demands for his release.[49]
June 24: Mahmoud al-Zahar, a top Hamas official in Gaza, says Hamas is willing to renew talks over Shalit’s release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.[50]
June 24: Olmert says Israel has made every effort to gain Shalit's release.[51]
June 10: Palestinian militants fail in their attempt to kidnap IDF soldiers at the Gaza Strip's Kissufim Crossing.[52]
June 2: Hamas says the group may consider a one-year ceasefire with Israel.[53]
June 1: Israel refuses to release the 350 Palestinian prisoners – the number demanded at that time - in exchange for Shalit, and waits for a response on the revised list.[54]
May 9: Hamas threatens to execute Shalit in retaliation for any Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip.[55]
April 22: Israeli officials confirm that the possibilities for imminent exchange talks are limited, and that negotiating details could take weeks or longer.[56]
April 21: Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Brigades announce it will hold Shalit hostage until all their demands are met.[57]
April 18: Olmert announces that Israel cannot meet the demands put in place by Hamas on April 9.[58]
April 9: Hamas officials send a list, through Egyptian channels, of 500 Palestinian prisoners they insist be released in exchange for Shalit.[59]
April 6: Abbas announces that Shalit will be freed soon.[60]
March 25: Olmert criticizes Abbas for breaking his promise to free Shalit.[61]
Jan. 4: Olmert flies to Egypt to meet with President Hosni Mubarak on the derailed peace process and to discuss Shalit's fate.[62]
2006
Dec. 27: Israel denies that a prisoner swap will take place and confirms that an agreement has not yet been reached.[63]
Dec. 27: The Palestinian Authority (PA) announces that Shalit will be released "within days."[64]
Nov. 24: A Lebanon-based Hamas representative raises the number of Palestinian prisoners required for Shalit's release from 1,000 to 1,400.[65]
Oct. 30: Hamas delegates arrive in Cairo to discuss Shalit's release through a prisoner swap.[66]
Oct. 15: Olmert acknowledges that any attempt to work with Abbas to broker a deal for Shalit's release has failed.[67]
Sept. 28: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert proposes a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss Shalit.[68]
Sept. 19: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announces that Israel will free a "larger than expected" number of Palestinian prisoners in return for Shalit.[69]
Sept. 8: Syria pressures Hamas leaders not to accede to a prisoner swap, stalling negotiations between Hamas and Egypt.[70]
Sept. 7: Israel reaches a deal leading to the release of Shalit and awaits the okay of Mashaal.[71]
Aug. 6: Hamas rejects the Egyptian authorities' proposal to hand over Shalit in return for Palestinian prisoners.[72]
July 10: Khaled Mashaal, the Damascus-based Hamas political chief, insists that Shalit will not be released without a prisoner swap.[73]
July 8: The IDF enter Gaza for a second time in an attempt to free Shalit.[74]
July 3: Shalit’s kidnappers give Israel a 24-hour ultimatum to either release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners or they will kill Shalit.[75]
July 1: Israel rejects demands made by Hamas.[76]
June 30: Shalit's captors issue new demands including the end of Israel's offensive in Gaza and the release of 1,000 prisoners.[77]
June 29: Israel detains dozens of Hamas cabinet ministers.[78]
June 28: The IDF enter Gaza to rescue Shalit.[79]
June 26: Shalit's captors demand the release of all Palestinian women prisoners and those younger than 18 in Israeli jails, including those convicted of directly participating in terror attacks.[80]
June 25: Shalit is abducted in a cross-border attack by Iran-backed Hamas, in coordination with the Popular Resistance Committees and the Army of Islam terrorist groups.[81]
Footnotes:
[1] Barak Ravid, Issacharoff, Avi and Harel, Amos, “Hamas expects Shalit deal by next week,” Haaretz, Nov. 23, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1130067.html
[2] “Hamas 'debating Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal',” BBC, Nov. 23, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8374402.stm
[3] Barak Ravid, Issacharoff, Avi and Harel, Amos, “Hamas expects Shalit deal by next week,” Haaretz, Nov. 23, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1130067.html
[4] “Hamas 'debating Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal',” BBC, Nov. 23, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8374402.stm
[5] Prusher, Ilene R., “Gilad Shalit release: Hamas, Israel prisoner swap said to be imminent,” The Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 23, 2009, http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1123/p06s10-wome.html
[6] “Hamas 'debating Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal',” BBC, Nov. 23, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8374402.stm
[7] “Hamas 'debating Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal',” BBC, Nov. 23, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8374402.stm
[8] "Two soldiers killed, one missing in Kerem Shalom terror attack," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 25, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2006/Two+soldiers+killed+one+missing
+in+Kerem+Shalom+terror+attack+25-Jun-2006.htm
[9] Ravid, Barak; Lis, Jonathan; Issacharoff, Avi; Khoury, Jack “'Shalit video shows soldier to be lucid and in good health'” Haaretz, Oct. 2, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1118389.html; Jpost.com staff, “Captive Israeli soldier reportedly appears relaxed, not terrified,” The Jerusalem Post, Oct. 2, 2009, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1254393083700
[10] “Gaza: still no ICRC access to Gilad Shalit,” International Committee of the Red Cross, Oct. 12, 2008, http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/israel-interview-111208
[11] "Two soldiers killed, one missing in Kerem Shalom terror attack," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 25, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2006/Two+soldiers+killed+one+missing
+in+Kerem+Shalom+error+attack+25-Jun-2006.htm
[12] "Two soldiers killed, one missing in Kerem Shalom terror attack," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 25, 2006, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2006/Two+soldiers+killed+one+missing
+in+Kerem+Shalom+terror+attack+25-Jun-2006.htm
[13] Harel, Amos, Issacharoff, Avi, “Two soldiers killed, one missing in raid on IDF post,” Haaretz, June 25, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/730994.html; “’The Army of the Nation’ – Another Al-Qaeda Affiliate in the Gaza Strip,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Aug. 7, 2007,
http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID
=254&PID=0&IID=1748
[14] “2005: Gaza Withdrawal,” BBC News, May 6, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle
_east/7381383.stm
[15] “Shalit says his health is deteriorating,” YnetNews, June 25, 2007, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3417268,00.html
[16] Ravid, Barak, Khoury, Jack, “Shalit's father: Gilad begs for his life in new letter,” Haaretz, Oct. 6, 2008, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/991222.html
[17] “Hamas parades mock Gilad Shalit before crowd of thousands in Gaza,” Haaretz, Dec. 14, 2008, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1046429.html
[18] “Hamas suspends Shalit negotiations,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Mar 19, 2009, http://jta.org/news/article/2009/03/19/1003848/hamas-suspends-shalit-negotiations
[19] Israel Government Press Office communiqué, March 17, 2009
[20] “Benjamin Netanyahu: full speech on Palestinian state,” The Daily Telegraph, June 14, 2009, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/5535664/Benjamin-Netanyahu
-full-speech-on-Palestinian-state.html
[21] Waked, Ali, “'Heavy' prisoners: We're on our way to freedom,” YnetNews, Nov. 23, 2009, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3809110,00.html
[22] Waked, Ali, “'Heavy' prisoners: We're on our way to freedom,” YnetNews, Nov. 23, 2009, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3809110,00.html
[23] Waked, Ali, “'Heavy' prisoners: We're on our way to freedom,” YnetNews, Nov. 23, 2009, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3809110,00.html
[24] Roffee-Ofir, Sharon, “Bereaved parents to PM: Ignore mothers,” YnetNews, Nov. 23, 2009, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3804644,00.html
[25] “Hamas: Israel frees Syrian prisoners under Shalit's tape deal,” Xinhua, Oct. 22, 2009, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/22/content_12299425.htm
[26] Ramadan, Saud Abu, “Israel finalizes Shalit's videotape deal after second Gaza female prisoner released,” Xinhua, Oct. 4, 2009, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/04/content_12181689.htm
[27] “Benjamin Netanyahu: full speech on Palestinian state,” The Telegraph, June 14, 2009, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/5535664/Benjamin-Netanyahu
-full-speech-on-Palestinian-state.html
[28] “Report: Indirect talks for Shalit’s release have resumed,” Haaretz, June 4, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090400.html
[29] “PM: New Envoy for Shalit Negotiations,” CBNNews, June 1, 2009, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2009/June/PM-New-Envoy-for-Shalit-Negotiations/
[30] “Netanyahu: Israel to do all in its power to bring Shalit home,” Haaretz, April 30, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1081841.html
[31] Ravid, Barak, “PMO negotiator travels abroad to pursue Shalit deal,” Haaretz, March 28, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074464.html
[32] Isaacharoff, Avi, “Hamas: We’ve resumed Shalit talks with Israel,” Haaretz, March 26, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1073848.html
[33] Isaacharoff, Avi, “Hamas: We want to finalize Shalit deal as soon as possible,” Haaretz, March 21, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072712.html
[34] “Hamas suspends Shalit negotiations,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, March 19, 2009, http://jta.org/news/article/2009/03/19/1003848/hamas-suspends-shalit-negotiations
[35] “Hamas: Israel will retreat on stance in Shalit deal,” Haaretz, March 18, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1071978.html
[36] “Special Cabinet meeting on the release of Gilad Shalit,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 17, 2009, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Special_Cabinet_meeting_release
_Gilad_Shalit_17-Mar-2009.htm
[37] “Is There Still Hope for Gilad Shalit’s Release?” Israel Policy Forum, March 17, 2009, http://www.israelpolicyforum.org/blog/there-still-hope-gilad-shalits-release
[38] “PM Olmert Dispatches ISA Director Diskin and Special Envoy Dekel to Egypt in Additional Effort to Bring about the Release of Gilad Shalit,” Prime Minister’s Office, March 14, 2009,
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/Spokesman/2009/03/spokegikad140309.htm
[39] Harel, Amos and Issacharoff, Avi, “Time has muddled the Cairo-brokered Shalit deal,” Haaretz, Feb. 18, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1064870.html
[40] Isaacharoff, Avi, Ravid, Barak, Harel, Amos, “Israeli Minister: 'We are ready to pay terrible price for Gilad Shalit,” Haaretz, Jan. 22, 2009, http://captaininternet.co.il/hasen/spages/1057660.html
[41] “Report: Hamas official says Shalit's fate is no longer group's concern,” Haaretz, Jan. 11, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1054469.html
[42] Egyptnews, "Hamas to boycott Egyptian talks on Shalit," Egyptnews, Aug. 7, 2008, http://news.egypt.com/en/200808073457/news/middle-east/hamas-to-boycott-egyptian-talks-on-shalit.html
[43] Teibel, Amy, “Israel-Hamas Gaza truce goes into effect,” The Associated Press. June 19, 2008, Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[44] Friedman, Matti, “Egyptian intelligence chief in Israel for talks,” The Associated Press. May 12, 2008, Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[45] “Hamas issues threat to kill Schalit,” The Jerusalem Post, April 6, 2008, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1207238167025&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[46] Sofer, Roni and Waked, Ali, “Hamas demands guarantees for Shalit deal,” YnetNews. Feb. 18, 2008, http://www.ynet.co.il/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3508075,00.html
[47] Keinon, Herb, “PM to relax criteria for Schalit,” The Jerusalem Post, Feb. 3, 2008, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1202064572932&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[48] “Olmert Blasts Soldier's Captors' Demands,” The Associated Press. June 28, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[49] The Associated Press, “Shalit says his health is deteriorating,” YnetNews, June 25, 2007,
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3417268,00.html
[50] Khoury, Jack, "Zahar: Hamas willing to renew talks over release of Shalit," Haaretz, June 24, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/874126.html
[51] "Olmert: Israel to spare no effort in bringing Gilad Shalit home," YnetNews, June 24, 2007, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3416687,00.html
[52] Bousso, Ron, "Israel vows to keep hitting Gaza after cross-border raid," Agence France-Presse, June 10, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[53] Abou El-Magd, Nadia, "Hamas says it may consider a one-year truce with Israel, senior official says," The Associated Press, June 2, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[54] "Israel awaits revised Hamas demands," United Press International, June 1, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[55] "Hamas warns Israel: You'll return from Gaza in a coffin," YnetNews, May 9, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis
[56] Elliott, Debbie and Gradstein, Linda, "Prisoner exchanged deal brokered," National Public Radio, Apr. 22, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[57] "Palestinian group says factions prepared to hold Israeli soldier "for years"," BBC, April 21, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2007 from LexisNexis.
[58] Friedman, Matti, "Olmert: Israel can't meet inmate demand," The Associated Press, April 18, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2007 from LexisNexis.
[59] Medina, Jennifer, "Hamas sees progress on releasing prisoner; exchange list sent to Israel for soldier," The International Herald Tribune, April 9, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[60] "Palestinian president says Israeli soldier captured in Gaza to be freed soon," The Associated Press, April 6, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis
[61] Friedman, Matti, "Olmert accuses Abbas of reneging on promise to secure captive Israeli soldier's release," The Associated Press, March 25, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[62] Nasrawi, Salah, "Leaders of Egypt and Israel to meet amid calls for new Mideast peace push," The Associated Press, January 4, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis
[63] "Israel denies rumours of prisoner swap," United Press International, December 27, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[64] Toameh, Khaled Abu, "PA official claims Shalit release only days away," The Jerusalem Post, December 27, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[65]"Hamas raises price for Shalit to 1,400," United Press International, November 24, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[66] "Hamas delegates arrive in Egypt to discuss swapping prisoners for captured Israeli soldier," The Associated Press, October 30, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[67] Heller, Aron, "Olmert says efforts to meet with Abbas have broken down," The Associated Press, June 24, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[68] Nessman, Ravi, "Olmert hopes to meet with Abbas soon," The Associated Press, September 28, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[69] Katz, Yaakov, "Mubarak: Israel will release more prisoners than planned for Shalit," The Jerusalem Post, September 19, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[70] Toameh, Khaled Abu, "Syria blocking talks for Shalit's release PA officials say," The Jerusalem Post, September 8, 2006, Retrieved from LexisNexis
[71] "Shalit deal ready, awaits Meshaal's okay," United Press International, September 7, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[72] "Hamas official says Egypt's prisoner swap proposals rejected," BBC, August 6, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis
[73] Greenberg, Joel, "Hamas demands prisoner swap," The Chicago Tribune, July 11, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[74] El Deeb, Sarah, "Israeli forces broaden Gaza incursion," The Associated Press, July 8, 2007. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[75] Nessman, Ravi, "Israel faces 11pm deadline on soldier," The Associated Press, July 3, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[76] "Israel rejects militant demand to free prisoners," Agence France Presse, July 1, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[77] Nessman, Ravi, "Militants demand end to Israeli offensive," The Associated Press, July 1, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis
[78] El Deeb, Sarah, "Israeli forces arrest Hamas cabinet ministers, dig into Gaza; hostage killed," The Associated Press, June 29, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
[79] "Israeli troops roll into Gaza," CNN, June 27, 2006. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
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[81] Harel, Amos and Issacharoff, Avi, “Two soldiers killed, one missing in raid on IDF post,” Haaretz, June 25, 2006, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/730994.html
