The Palestinian Arab press is reporting tonight that Israel is releasing a number of Hamas MPs that had been in Israeli custody, including former PA Finance Minister Omar Abdal Razeq.
Razeq and other PA Hamas ministers were arrested by Israel right after Shalit's kidnapping, and although Israel denied using them as bargaining chips it seems pretty clear that this is exactly what they were.
One can only pray that this is part of a deal that will result in the return of Gilad Shalit. Unfortunately, with the current Israeli government, one can never be sure what if anything Israel will gain from any deals.
