At about 9:30am, the female terrorists, 19 of them, slated for release today, Friday, were transferred to the Ofer Detention Center in preparation for the exchange. Once again, Israel releases murderous terrorists – only to receive a nominal gesture from the enemy, in this case, a one-minute video testimony that Gilad Shalit is still alive. A 20th terrorist will be released on Sunday, all in exchange for the 60 second glance of the soldier who is about to mark a fourth Sukkos in captivity.
No one other than his terrorists captors have seen Gilad, not even representatives of the International Red Cross, yet Israel seems incapable of taking appropriate retaliatory action against terrorists imprisoned in Israel, perhaps too concerned over the response of the left-wing community in Israel and High Court petitions, and/or the response of the international community.
At 11:30am, the German mediator involved in the deal showed the video to Chaggai Hadas, the prime minister’s emissary, representing the Government of Israel in talks seeking Shalit’s release. The viewing was intended for authenticity, after which, the video was approved, and copies made and given to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Gilad’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Noam and Aviva Shalit. The prime minister received his copy during the afternoon hours, and a helicopter was used to bring the copy to the parents, to ensure expeditious delivery. Other senior officials will also view the video, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi and senior ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) officials. Ashkenazi also verified the content prior to the deal taking place.
After the video was authenticated, 18 terrorists were released to PA areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron and 1 to Gaza. A 20th prisoner will be released on Sunday. A ceremony was held near the gravesite of master terrorist Yasser Arafat, near the Mukata PA headquarters in Ramallah with the released terrorists and senior PA officials.
Interestingly, among the many comments, for and against the deal, Minister (HaBayit HaYehudi) Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hirschberg, a right-wing cabinet member, stated that the deal was indeed a good one, worth the price, to bring this invaluable information, that Gilad is alive, to the family and the government, rejecting criticism regarding the release of the female security prisoners and terrorists.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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2 Responses
Even terrorists realize how incredibly precious a Jewish neshama is.
We as yidden must continue our heartfelt tefillos to HKB”H for his release–ain lanu al mi l’hishoayn-ela el Avinu She’bashomayim.
May his parents be zoche to embrace him b’karov.
This deal wants to make you vomit. Although its great to know that he’s alive, its just ridiculous that we give them 20 prisoners but not just prisoners but the worst type of terrorists. They were suicide bomber wanna be’s!! The world should open up their eyes and see that, and even more so the Palestinians and Hamas followers should see how little human life is to Hamas! A prisoner swap between 2 democracies would be 1 for 1 not 20 for a stupid video!!!! But again Hamas is no democracy and peace will never be achieved with them, just another example.