By Lia Tarachansky, The Real News Network – 20 Oct 2011
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7478
While hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and Gilad Shalit return home, hundreds others go into exile
On Tuesday the first stage in the prisoner exchange swap between Israel and Hamas began. While Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was transferred to Egypt and then to Israel, the first half of the Palestinian prisoners was released from Israeli jails. Of the 477 prisoners released at this stage of the deal nearly half were sent into exile. To understand the significance of the timing of this deal, The Real News’ Lia Tarachansky spoke with Samah Sabawi, a political adviser for al Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network. Meanwhile in Gaza the return of the Palestinian prisoners was received with celebration. Naser Najjar reports from Gaza city about two families, one anticipating the return of a released prisoner and one that is not.