Hamas loses its bargaining chip in Gaza

With the release of Gilad Shalit, the group’s ability to strike future deals with Israel will be limited.

Palestinian women walk past a mural depicting captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit

In the Jabalyia refugee camp in Gaza, Hamas members have painted murals of Gilad Shalit, the captured Israeli soldier, to remind people of the group’s success in holding him for more than 5 years.

But in terms of the swap, Hamas has only secured the release of one of its top six military commanders.

The prisoner swap is sure to improve Hamas’s standing among Palestinians, but the people of Gaza have suffered greatly for the capture of Shalit. 

Regardless of whether this is the best deal the Palestinians could have negotiated – one thing is clear – Hamas has now lost its biggest bargaining chip in Gaza.

Nicole Johnston reports from Gaza.

Source: Al Jazeera