Region | Palestinian Territories
Restrain Israel, says Abbas
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calls on the international community to intervene to stop Israel's "inhumane invasion" of the Gaza Strip, while an Israeli minister hints at a possible prisoner swap.
- Agencies
- Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
Gaza City: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday called on the international community to intervene to stop Israel's "inhumane invasion" of the Gaza Strip.
"The world must stop this aggression and this inhumane invasion so that our efforts can get somewhere," he said referring to efforts to secure the release of a captured Israeli soldier.
"We are working with Arab parties, particularly Egypt, for the soldier [19-year-old Gilad Shalit] to be returned to his family. The continued Israeli aggression at this time is hindering these efforts," he said.
Israeli Public Security Minister Avi Dichter said on Friday the Jewish state is prepared to release Palestinian prisoners to free its soldier abducted by militants 12 days ago.
"Israel will release prisoners to free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. We've done it in the past to free hostages and in exchange for calm," Dichter said. "We all hope Gilad will come home safe and sound."
Hamas, on the other hand, rejected suggestions from Israel that some Palestinian prisoners could be freed as a "goodwill gesture" if militants released Gilad Shalit and stopped rocket firing.
"Our people have no faith in goodwill gestures," Hamas lawmaker Mushir Al Masri said.
"There is no talk at the moment about the missing soldier, we are talking about 30 Palestinian martyrs and 100 wounded in an Israeli military aggression against our people."
Meanwhile, six Palestinians were killed yesterday as Israel pressed on with its bloody offensive, one day after thrusting deep into the territory and reoccupying land in the deadliest 24 hours in the Palestinian territories for four years.
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