Articles by Shlomi Eldar:

Fatah official: Israel, Hamas in direct talks

Posted on: 09 Dec 2014

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Israel and Hamas, are engaged in direct contact. Ghazi Hamad, the go-between who, on behalf of Hamas, oversaw at the time the negotiations for the release of Shalit, working with Gershon Baskin. According to a Palestinian source, “When President Abbas says there are contacts, this is based on vetted information that we have gathered and cross-referenced”.

The Qatar channel between Gaza and Israel

Posted on: 03 Mar 2014

Gershon Baskin and senior Hamas member Ghazi Hamad established a relationship that emerged out of necessity because there were no other options. That private channel succeeded when all others failed and the channel has continued to operate, even after the Shalit deal was reached, particularly when it became necessary to relay messages rapidly between the two parties to avoid military escalation.

Hamas deploys border patrol to prevent rocket attacks on Israel

Posted on: 10 Feb 2014

A private channel of communication was set up by Gershon Baskin and Ghazi Hamad. Messages have also been exchanged this time that has resulted in Israel pledging not to target the Hamas force guarding the border, whereas Hamas has pledged to do more to prevent rocket fire.

Secret Israel-Hamas Channel Freed Gilad Shalit

Posted on: 18 Jun 2013

Gershon Baskin succeeded where others had failed. He was able to open a secret back channel with Hamas and brought Shalit’s captivity to a happy ending, after five years and four months, in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Ghazi Hamad: Hamas Agrees to Accept State Within ’67 Borders

Posted on: 04 Apr 2013

Gershon Baskin maintained a secret channel of communication with the deputy foreign minister of the Hamas government, Dr. Ghazi Hamad, who explains the far-reaching change in attitudes under way in his movement and the unchanged approach of not recognizing Israel.