Haniyeh: Deal with Hizbullah paved way for us
Speaking at Gaza's Islamic University on Saturday, Hamas PM vows no concessions will be made in forthcoming negotiations for release of Gilad Shalit; says ordered his government's interior minister to issue Samir Kuntar diplomatic passport
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Saturday that the prisoner exchange deal between Hizbullah and Israel paved the way for Palestinian organizations to achieve their objectives and "bring to the release of our heroes from prison."
The Hamas PM asserted at the conference that the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip in an attempt to force the Palestinian's hand – has failed. "The sun has set on the siege, despite all the difficulties," he said, calling for a renewal of internal Palestinian dialogue without any preconditions on Fatah's part.
Haniyeh also revealed that his government intends to bestow a special honor on the recently released Samir Kuntar. "I have turned to my honored brother, Said Siam, and asked that the Ministry of the Interior issue a diplomatic passport to the leader of the prisoners, Samir Kuntar," he said.
The prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hizbullah has revitalized the Palestinian organizations.
They're conclusion is that Israel will be willing to pay an even higher price for a living captive than the
already hefty toll it did for two dead ones. A Hamas source told Ynet over the weekend that alongside the push the deal has provided – there is also concern that following the harsh domestic criticism voiced in Israel over the price for Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser will harden Israel's position in the negotiations for Shalit.
The source warned that if Israel were indeed to take this path – Shalit could remain in captivity for decades to come.
