Barack: Region’s circumstances made acceptance of swap deal...

12^min

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack said that ensuring the release of the imprisoned Israeli soldier and guaranteeing his safe return to his family was a mission that had to be accomplished, even at a painful price, but not at any price.

Barack stressed that the difficult circumstances in the region made Israel take a bold step and accept the deal.

Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, held in captivity by the Islamist group Hamas since June 2006, was handed over to Israeli officials on Tuesday. As part of a carefully orchestrated prisoner swap, Israel was due to free 477 Palestinian prisoners on Tuesday, with witnesses seeing a first batch arriving in Gaza.

Barack: Region’s circumstances made acceptance of swap deal inevitable

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