Article in terror group's official newspaper says release of tape will put pressure on PM to reach exchange deal for release of prisoners.
By JPOST.COM STAFFGilad Schalit 311(photo credit: Courtesy)Hamas sources on Wednesday said that they are "positively considering releasing a new tape of Gilad Schalit, but Israel will have to pay a price for it," reported Army Radio.The statements were published Tuesday in the organization's official newspaper, al-Resalah.RELATED:Gilad Schalit, POWs and the laws of reciprocity Hamas says German mediator failed in Schalit talks Noam Schalit to Abu Sisi's wife: Push Hamas to free Gilad "Will Schalit appear once again on the screen?" the article asked, and said that the release of "a video along with a photo of Gilad would put pressure on Netanyahu to start moving forward in making an exchange deal with Hamas for the release of Palestinian prisoners," Army Radio reported.On Monday night, the Prime Minister's Office responded to calls from former heads of intelligence agencies which had earlier called for the immediate release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit and said that "efforts to bring home Gilad Schalit safe and sound continue at all times." "Over a year has passed since Israel has presented Hamas with the last proposal in the negotiations," the PMO said, "yet Hamas has not answered this proposal, suggesting that the other side has no intention to reach a successful agreement through negotiations.""Besides the tremendous commitment to bringing Gilad home, the prime minister is also responsible for the safety and security of all citizens of Israel."Earlier Monday, former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Yaakov Perry said tt is possible to release murderers to achieve the release of Schalit.“The State of Israel is strong enough, in terms of its intelligence and military might, to take care of the ‘murderers with blood on their hands,’ as they are called, if they return to terror activities,” Perry said.
