Barak Suspends Transfer Deal, Says Syria Involved in killing Hariri

Local Editor

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak suspended transfer of 84 bodies to the Palestinian Authority Monday at last moment, knowing that PM Benjamin Netanyahu have approved its accomplishment. According to Zionist Haaretz daily, Barak suspended the deal due to the important role it played in any future exchange deal for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Haaretz reported that Barak’s step came after he was informed that the remains of “Awadallah brothers”, Hamas members who Israel killed in 1998, were among the bodies. The paper added that Israel was refusing to return the bodies of “Awadallah brothers”, but later changed its stance and accepted using them as a bargain chip in Shalit’s deal. On another level, the Zionist Minister commented on the recently issued indictment that accused members of Hezbollah, clarifying that “Lebanon is facing a harsh shock.” He revealed that the Syrian government will also be accused in PM Rafiq Hariri’s assasination. "This issue shows us who we are dealing with and who the neighbors we live amongst are," Jerusalem Post quoted Barak as saying.

Israel stops transfer of Palestinian bodies to PA

[ 05/07/2011 - 12:35 PM ]

WEST BANK, (PIC)-- Senior Israeli ministers have reneged at the last minute on transferring the bodies of 84 Palestinian martyrs being held at the secret Cemetery of Numbers to the Palestinian Authority. Most of the bodies have been held by the Israel military since 1967. Israeli military minister Ehud Barak has decided to suspend the process until further notice after he consulted with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a military ministry spokesman has said. Israeli news outlets say the decision to release the bodies was held off after the move drew heavy criticism from the relatives of those killed in Palestinian resistance operations and other Israeli circles. The sources say Barak was unaware of the identities of those who would be released in the operation and that handing over the bodies could harm negotiations in a deal that would see the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Palestinian national campaign to retrieve the bodies of the martyrs said that Israel is holding more than 334 Palestinian bodies in secret graveyards known as the Cemetery of Numbers.

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