Apparently Egypt is helping to negotiate between the Palestinians and Israeli standoff in Gaza, and they want Israel to sllllllow down for a few whilst they get some things in order:
The delay apparently comes in response to an Egyptian request to freeze the operation in order to allow an opportunity for negotiations to secure the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
According to the PLO, Israel has arrested 84 Hamas Palestinians, including 7 Cabinent members and 21 members of the Palestinian parliament. Israel sources report 87 arrested, with 64 of them from Hamas. Israel plans to put all of them on trial - a pretty substantial effort. It's fairly amusing what the chief negotiator for the PLO had to say:
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat denounced the arrest of the Palestinian government officials."Kidnapping Palestinian lawmakers and holding the Palestinian government hostage will neither strengthen Israel's hand in bargaining [for the soldier's release] nor bring any good to anyone in the region," Erakat said.
Really, Mr. Erakat? Isn't that exactly what Hamas tried to do by kidnapping an Israeli soldier?
Comments