There is talk in the Israeli media that Hamas may release Arbel Yehud in the coming days because they violated the deal.
I hope I am wrong, but from what I know of Hamas, they will not give anything for free. Even Israel’s threat not to allow the displaced to move north will not convince Hamas to give up.
Carrying out the threat could lead to a halt in the release of the hostages. This is a very delicate matter, and it is better for Israel to talk less and let the mediators do more.
Gershon Baskin is one of the most recognizable names in the Middle East Peace process. He is a political and social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to peace between Israel and its neighbors. His dedication to creating a culture of peace and environmental awareness, coupled with his impeccable integrity, has earned him the trust of the leaders of all sides of the century old conflict. Few people have such far-reaching and positive impacts on promoting peace, security, prosperity and bi-national relationships. Gershon is an advisor to Israeli, Palestinian and International Prime Ministers on the Middle East Peace Process and the founder and director of IPCRI, the Israeli-Palestinian Public Policy Institute. He was the initiator and negotiator of the secret back channel between Israel and Hamas for the release of 1,027 prisoners – mainly Palestinians and Arab-Israelis of which 280 were sentenced to life in prison, including Yahya Sinwar, the current Palestinian leader of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The prisoners were imprisoned for planning and perpetrating various attacks against Jewish targets that resulted in the killing of 569 Israelis in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Schalit. Gershon is actively involved in research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, environmental security, political strategy, peace education, economics, culture and in the development of affordable solar projects with the goal of providing clean electricity for 50 million people by 2020. He is a founding member of Kol Ezraheiha-Kol Muwanteneiha (All of the Citizens) political party in Israel. He is now directing The Holy Land Bond and is the Middle East Director for ICO – International Communities Organization - a UK based NGO working in conflict zones with failed peace processes.
Gershon Baskin senses that there will never be peace and security for only one of the sides.. It’s live together or die together.. it is now time for the peace of no choice.
Gershon Baskin feels that it is time to move from the concept of the war of no choice to the concept of the peace of no choice.
Gershon Baskin believes that the war will truly end only when no hostages remain in Gaza and Hamas no longer governs it, both administratively or militarily. This objective can only be achieved through a political solution and regional cooperation