Seeking new ways to pressure Hamas into moving ahead in talks towards the release of Gilad Shalit, Defense Minister Ehud Barak is recommending limiting visitations for Hamas prisoners held by Israel.

Barak sent a letter to State Attorney General Menachem Mazuz on Wednesday, in which he cites Israel’s policy vis-à-vis Gaza since the Hamas regime rose to power. He explained the new Israeli policy has brought a halt to entry into Israel for Gaza residents, and he now seeks to expand this policy to Judea and Samaria to severely restrict visitation for the Hamas prisoners held by Israel.

The defense minister points out that Hamas is intentionally foot-dragging regarding talks on Shalit’s release and he feels new measures must be implemented.

Some are questioning what exactly took the defense minister over two years to even raise the matter of attempting to pressure Hamas towards obtaining Shalit’s release.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)