First,
pampango makes some great points about the distinction between "kidnapped" and "POW." Second, Israel has
not made many incursions into Lebanon to grab more prisoners, and I also fail to see how that statement is relevant to the situation in Gaza. Finally, Hamas does
not have the right to grab soldiers to make trades, that is contrary to law. It is not right when Israel does it, then it is not right when they do it (or we do it for that matter).
This is the part of the story I find most interesting:
"Egypt succeeded in securing a swap deal with Israel to free
women, children, elders and those who have been serving long prison terms in exchange for the soldier," Abul Gheit told Al Arabiya television. "A deal that could have guaranteed freeing 900-1,000 prisoners- but sadly they have decided to keep holding him ," said Abul Gheit.This lays waste to the arguments that many presented here that the release of women and children would result in the release of the solider. I said they wouldn't take the deal, they only want their "people" released. To me, and hopefully the Palestinian people, this demonstrates that this group only cares about
their needs and not the needs or desires of the people they were elected to represent.