Israel and Hamas agree on 230 murderers for Shalit

Army radio reported this morning that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the release of 230 identified murderers in exchange for kidnapped IDF corporal Gilad Shalit (pictured, top left). Another 120 remain to be agreed.

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the identities of 230 Palestinian prisoners to be freed as part of a deal to secure the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, Army Radio reported Monday morning.

According to the report, disputes remain regarding 120 additional prisoners the group is demanding be freed in the first stage of the deal - prisoners Israel has thus far refused to release.

Progress in the negotiations was reportedly made after a decision by a special ministerial committee to relax the criteria for defining a prisoner with "blood on his hands." Initially, Israel was only willing to release 44 prisoners on the Hamas list.

Nevertheless, the criteria change needs cabinet approval and it is not certain that ministers will approve the move, especially in light of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Yuval Diskin's vehement opposition.

Let's hope Diskin and his voice of sanity prevail. Any terrorists released inevitably come back to commit more terror attacks.
(IsraelMatzav)