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Israel to Free Bombers, Killers in Soldier Swap

Jerusalem releases names of first prisoners to be freed

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2011 5:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – The founders of Hamas' militant wing. The organizer of a Jerusalem bombing that killed 15. A woman who lured a lovelorn Israeli teen to a Palestinian city to be murdered. All will be released in Israel's planned swap of Palestinian political prisoners for a single kidnapped Israeli solder, the New York Times reports. Israel today revealed the names of the first 477 prisoners to be exchanged for Gilad Shalit on Tuesday.

Israel promises to free another 550 over the next 2 months, but won't return all to their West Bank homes; some 200 will go to Gaza or into exile. Another 6,000 prisoners will remain behind bars in Israel. In Gaza, Hamas is claiming victory for negotiating the swap, but other Palestinians are unhappy—over specific prisoners still being held, or Israeli courtroom procedures that they say convicted too many innocent people.

A supporter of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit waits for Shalit's parents at their home in Mitzpe Hila, northern Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011.
A supporter of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit waits for Shalit's parents at their home in Mitzpe Hila, northern Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011.   (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
A man draped in an Israeli flag stands near to a poster depicting Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit displayed at the Paris Town hall, Sunday, June 26, 2011.
A man draped in an Israeli flag stands near to a poster depicting Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit displayed at the Paris Town hall, Sunday, June 26, 2011.   (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
Sphinx
Oct 16, 2011 9:13 PM CDT
Israel has a lot of faults - a disregard for its own security isn't one of them. If these people were dangerous, Israel wouldn't be releasing them. Most of them can't possibly be as dangerous as Israel once painted them or this wouldn't be happening. 
Kookey90
Oct 16, 2011 8:35 PM CDT
Now when there’s an increase in terrorist attacks and kidnappings against Israelis, don’t come crying to me. Nuff said.
stroker
Oct 16, 2011 7:35 PM CDT
Arabs don t hate Jews because of Israel. They hate Israel because of Jews. Those who are devout believe fully in their scripture. Now read that (Koran) and see what it says. Then chat about things. READ first.

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