Israel Refuses to Sign Cease-Fire Until Soldier is Released

by Rob Walker | February 18, 2009 at 12:54 pm

282 views | 37 Recommendations | 8 comments

Israel has stated that there will be no cease-fire until a soldier captured by Hamas is released. They have refused to lift the blockade on border crossings until Hamas hands over Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held captive since 2006.

The announcement happened on the same day Israel sent air strikes into the southern area of the Gaza strip, although no one was wounded.

Israel has decided not to lift its blockade on border crossings into the Gaza Strip until the militant group Hamas hands over a captive Israeli soldier. The decision to set the soldier's release as a top condition is expected to complicate prospects for a long-term truce between Israel and the militants in Gaza.

Israeli warplanes struck a number of sites in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, causing some damage but no casualties, Palestinian residents and Hamas security officials said.

Egyptian mediators and Hamas representatives are angry with Israel for adding the soldier's release deal to the cease-fire negotiations. They had hoped to finalize a deal in the next few days, while this new situation may take some time to iron out.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert intends to bring before the cabinet for its approval tomorrow a demand that conditions a cease-fire deal on the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit. Olmert updated Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on his position and stressed that Israel would not agree to a different arrangement for a cease-fire deal.

Hamas on Wednesday slammed Israel's decision that links the fate of ceasefire and lifting Gaza blockade to the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

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Fripouille

at 13:12 on February 18th, 2009

Good post.

We can't know of course whether this demand is a last-minute stalling tactic or just an issue that was slated to come up anyhow and is complicating things (what is said in public is by definition for public consumption only), but if this really is an unacceptable demand within the agreed framework of the negotiations it is irresponsible and deplorable.....

Sam King (not verified)

at 06:09 on February 19th, 2009

The Shalit issue has been front and center for nearly the two years since Hamas staged an illegal cross border attack to kidnap him. He has been held without visitation rights from the Red Cross (something Israel permits for its prisoners) and is a violation of international law. He is being used purely as a "bargaining chip" (also a violation). In the cynical world of terrorism, this is considered to be normal. Hamas should either decide it is a legitimate government and renounce its core explicit aim of destroying Israel, or accept the consequences of being a terrorist organization which target civilians with suicide bombings and missile attacks on schools and homes. Israel has every right to defend its citizens from missile attacks and cross border incursions.

explanantion (not verified)

at 16:36 on February 18th, 2009

The problem is that there is no moderate Israeli intent in relation to the Gaza. What makes the Gaza conflict unique is that Israel does not allow refugees. No-one is allowed to exit when they attack - old, infirm, child, disabled, women, hospitalized or such. There is no comparable model in modern conflict. That is why the ghetto word is used in relation to the Gaza - no refugees allowed out...that is not, sadly, an indicator of moderate intent. It is not the action of a responsible democracy. You can argue intent, moderation etc all you want but the absence of refugee strategy is an act of an oppressor. That is a fact based conclusion based on Israeli action - not an opinion

Which is why you have to smile at some of the bull that is written here about peaceful intent... the military strategy, combined with the settlements and the refusal to obey a 40 year old UN resolution. There is no peaceful intent from Israel unfortunately. They are land and water hungry. In addition the Eastern European olim immigration wave has shifted the Israeli demographic. The election results show the shift to the right and in one sense that is the most honest Israel has been in decades - they are now openly aggressors which as the head of the Arab League said today 'now at least they will say there is no peace process to our faces' (rather than behind our backs is what he meant)

Fripouille

at 16:42 on February 18th, 2009

"Smile at some of the bull". Very inelegant, and time for me to unsubscribe. Thanks.

Barry Artiste

at 19:20 on February 18th, 2009

Both the Israelis and Hamas have their issues of brutality and stubborness. Unless a mediator agreeable to both sides is brought in to settle this once and for all, it will continue to "End of Days" and that is a Fact of Life!

René

at 22:16 on February 18th, 2009

The Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was Always on the table. Y'all are just using the comments to air your own radical views, even the so-called 'moderatoes'.

djsblack

at 16:41 on February 19th, 2009

People forget Shalit was kidnapped and it triggered the Lebanese Hizbullah war with Israel. Hizbullah and Hamas are proxy armies of Iran surrounding Israel to detract from Iran's pursuit of the bomb.

It's a joke that after 65 years that the Arab Palestinians can't, won't, and are unable to build anything other than a "State of Terrorism" for their own people.

The rational and objective reasonable people of the world see the Arab Palestinians for what they are--tools of the rest of the 1.2 billion Islamic nations, and 400 million Arab peoples as their last vestige to try and destroy Israel.

A State? They could care less.

Syndrum (not verified)

at 09:18 on February 21st, 2009

Proxy armies for Iran?? I think they have plenty of their own grievances with Isreal. :)

You brand the Palestinians as if they were mindless drones, with a sole purpose to destroy Israel. They are and not here on this earth to live as humans with peace, security and and happiness... they are fundamentalists, spawns of an evil God, subservient to the whims of Iran, sent to complete a mission for all Muslims. In that light, it doesn't seem like "rational and objective reasonable people" belief you suggest... but it could be just me...

How could they build their own state when not only are their borders not defined, but like a nose around a neck, getting tighter and tighter? The borders to Gaza are closed, trade and aid is limited to essentials, and their cities are being constantly demolished, their leaders are assassinated, their government buildings destroyed, every day is a struggle to survive...

Terrorism is a social disease, and environmental factors in Palestine are perfect for its spreading. It cannot be eradicated by guns.

One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter.