Message from Hamas to Israel and the Shalit family, negotiation is the only way

July 7, 2006

Gaza-Ma'an- Hamas addressed a message to the Israeli people and the Shalit family holding the Israeli government responsible for leading the negotiations to a deadlock.

Hamas' message said that the only way out of the crisis is negotiations which will guarantee the safety of the captured Israeli soldier, and also showed readiness to reach a convenient solution for both sides which was proposed from the very beginning of the soldiers capture.

Hamas reminded the Israeli public that there were prisoners' swaps before and called the Israeli intellectuals and journalists to raise their voice and initiate the exchange. The message assured that "the soldier is being treated humanely according to the Islamic traditions and the only one showing carelessness about his life is Olmert." They added: "the soldier was captured in a military operation between Palestinian resistance men and Israeli soldiers who were killing Palestinian children and women in the streets and on the beeches of Gaza."

Updates:

Israel rejects Palestinian leader's plan for truce

Olmert: Prisoner Release Will Strengthen Hamas