Israeli prisoner swap with Hamas could herald big Middle East breakthrough
Deal for captive soldier Gilad Shalit may include return of the one man able to rebuild Fatah and unite the Palestinians: Marwan Barghouti
Captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit could be swapped for hundreds of Palestinians jailed in Israel. Photograph: Reuters
Prisoner exchanges have been part of the terms of trade of the Middle East conflict for the past 60 years. If the reports, rumours and speculation of the last few days turn out to be correct, the deal swapping Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for hundreds of jailed Palestinians could turn out to be one of the most significant ever.
Hard facts about the negotiations are few and far between. But Hamas delegations from Gaza, including military men, have been in Cairo talking to Egyptian intelligence and are said to be heading for Damascus to consult the Islamist movement's exiled political leadership; the presence of discreet German intermediaries and rare public comments by Israel all suggest an agreement may be imminent.
Israel has always gone to great lengths to bring its servicemen home from captivity – dead or alive. Past swaps have involved releasing hundreds of Palestinian or Lebanese prisoners for the bodies or even body parts of Israelis killed in action.
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