Mahmoud Abbas

Fafo, a Norwegian research company found that 72 per cent of Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza were in favour of peace negotiations with Israel, but stressed that a settlement freeze should be a pre-condition to talks. The poll also revealed a rise in Palestinian support for halting rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel rising from 53 per cent in favour of a halt in 2009 to 61 per cent in 2010. Most Palestinians who agreed to take the poll said they had more confidence in Mahmoud Abbas, than that of Hamas, and reveals that support of Hamas in Gaza was relatively lower than in 2008.

But here's the problem. It's the fourth anniversary of the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit. For four years, Hamas leaders have not allowed him to speak to his family and for four years Hamas has told Israel that if they release hundreds of their people, some of whom are known terrorists, they will set him free.


In October 2009, Schalit was shown in a video to be alive and in apparent good health, yet Israel has still not received any response from Hamas about bringing him home. That proposal, made by German and Egyptian mediators, was responded to positively by Israel in December 2009, but nothing has happened since.

So in the end, it appears to be down to Hamas for the lack of progress in securing a deal. Despite all the promises they made through third party negotiations, this young man's life still hangs precariously in the balance.