‘A Lot of Talk’

It has been almost nine months since Palestinian militants crept across the Gaza border and snatched Gilad Schalit, a 19-year-old corporal in the Israeli military. In the aftermath of the kidnapping, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert responded forcefully, sending in tanks and bombing key ministries. But after months of war, Schalit is still missing, and authorities haven't received a sign of life from the soldier in almost six months. Still, news that Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah had agreed to form a national-unity government raised hopes of a breakthrough in the negotiations. As Schalit's family awaited further developments, NEWSWEEK's Kevin Peraino spoke with the soldier's father, Noam, at his home in the northern Israeli village of Hila. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: When's the last time you heard from Gilad?
NOAM SCHALIT: Back in September, before the New Year's holiday, we received a letter from Gilad. It was sent to the Egyptian mediators. Basically, it said that he'd like the [Israeli] prime minister and the secretary of defense to release [Palestinian] prisoners in order that he would be able to come home soon. It was in his handwriting, but it was obvious that it was dictated to him.

Three different groups – Hamas, the Army of Islam and the Popular Resistance Committees – claimed credit for Gilad's kidnapping. How do you know who to deal with?
The key to releasing him is with the Hamas military wing. They receive orders from [Damascus-based political bureau leader] Khaled Meshaal. He's the one that has the key.

There have been a lot of rumors lately that a prisoner swap is imminent. What are you hearing?
So many headlines … Most of it is disinformation, spin from the Palestinian side. There's a lot of pressure from the Palestinian street to conclude this exchange. So they report that there's been progress, and then say that Israel is blocking the deal. Unfortunately, the Israeli media are not so accurate, either. They just use it to sell newspapers.

Are you talking to the negotiators? What are the sticking points to a prisoner swap?
I think the number of prisoners [in the exchange] is more or less accepted. But Hamas wants to dictate 100 percent of the names, and they won't release any of the names until Israel accepts that principle. I talked with [Israeli negotiator Ofer] Dekel yesterday, and there's still no list of prisoners.

Do you think the Palestinian power-sharing deal will help?
Yes, this is a lever that could push them to resolve this crisis. Especially the Fatah side. [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas would like to resolve this crisis in order to obtain [financial] support [from the international community]. They would like to make a new start. The whole idea is to make a new start. The question is whether he can be effective.