Protesting in Gaza
Photo: AFP
Gazans tense ahead of Shalit deal
Strip buzzes with rumors as Gazans hope for prisoner release; Hamas talks tough
Gaza is swarming with rumors ahead of a possible a prisoner exchange that may bring many Palestinian detainees back home.
Journalists in the Strip are reporting daily from the homes of inmates that may be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, and dozens of families protested Monday outside the Red Cross offices in Gaza.
Waiting for their return (Photo: AP)
The recent series of meetings by Israel's top leaders have been fueling the rumors, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with Noam Shalit, where the PM reportedly said that the deal may be signed as early as Tuesday.
However, a Palestinian source told Ynet that Hamas would not back down from its final offer to Israel, and that Israeli officials had to comply with all of its demands in order to close the deal.
"As far as we're concerned there is one and only one request, and that is that our entire list and our demands be fulfilled. There will not be a deal if the Israelis insist on removing even one name on the list. If the Shalit family and the public in Israel want to see Shalit return home, they must understand that their government needs to accept our demands," the source said.
Palestinian journalists are also reporting on various phone calls from prisoners to their families, asking to receive updates on developments in the deal. The Palestinian Authority has maintained a neutral stance.
Meanwhile, families have been gathering outside the offices of the Red Cross on a regular basis to demand the release of their sons.
