Jerusalem, June 22: He is against freeing convicted terrorists into the West Bank in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Israel’s prime minister said on Monday.
The Jerusalem Post has reported that Binyamin Netanyahu voiced his opposition to the idea to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Netanyahu told the committee, “We can’t release dangerous terrorists to places in the West Bank, where they can kill Israeli citizens.”
He further said that Israel continues to be open to any plans for the soldier’s return.
“We’re constantly looking for new ways to bring Gilad home safe and sound.”
It has been reported that Shalit was captured in June 2006 by Palestinian militants and held since then as a prisoner in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.
According to Netanyahu, a prisoner exchange proposed by a German mediator would be agreeable to Israel.
He further said, “The German mediator has given an offer for the prisoner exchange deal, but Hamas is yet to answer. While it’s not a simple offer, we have agreed to it.
——–Agencies