In a bizarre twist, it is being reported that senior IDF officers now feel Israel should release more terrorists, terrorists affiliated with Fatah, the party headed by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). They feel that Abbas’ position was greatly compromised by Hamas’ success in negotiating the release of 1,027 terrorists for the return of Gilad Shalit, and they now feel a good-will gesture to strengthen the PA leader’s standing is essential.

On the other side, aides to the prime minister appear opposed to such a move, the daily Haaretz reports.

Most Israelis do favor Abu Mazen over Hamas, but the thought of releasing additional terrorists, even so-called ‘low level’ Fatah-affiliated terrorists is simply unpalatable after 1,027 of the world’s worst terrorists are about to released by Israel.

Back in Ramallah, Abu Mazen has been calling upon Israel to release additional terrorists, insisting this is based on promises received from the administration of Ehud Olmert, in actuality, Abu Mazen is aware that his days in office are numbered as the PA become increasingly extreme and more in line with the likes of Hamas and other militant factions.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)