Gilad Shalit is in a healthy and normal condition according to a tape released by his captors Hamas this week in return for 20 female Palestinian prisoners. It seems that everyone is now asking not 'if' but 'when'. But why was the video released now and what does it mean?The negotiations over Shalit and the hundreds of terrorists demanding to be released by Hamas had, like the Israeli/Palestinian negotiations as a whole, come to a stalemate. The release of this video is being hailed as a PR victory by the Palestinians as Hamas have put pressure on the Israeli government to hurry along with the fulflling their demands.
Netanyahu, mentioned by name in the video will also be pleased by the video. Now that we have seen Shalit is in good form, less people in Israel will be supporting the release of hundreds of the most dangerous terrorists Israel holds. It is also unlikely that a military strike will take place on Gaza to release Shalit as this would jeaprdise his life. No military or political leader would dare risk his future career on such a decision either.
On the other hand, Hamas knows that pressure has now been raised on the Israeli public to have Shalit back home with his parents as soon as possible now that it is known he is well. But it is unlikely the price of 1000 deadly terrorists will nevertheless become palatable as it still poses an unnecessary and high level security risk to Israel.
How and when negotiations will continue is yet to be seen. In the meantime, for now it is the Palestinians who will be welcoming back the less threatening terrorists to their hometowns.
Tweet this!
Posts
Tweetbacks