Palestinian Authority would keep Gilad Shalit as a hostage after "unity" (UPDATED)

IMRA asks Nabil Shaath, a senior Palestinian Arab official, a great question in this audio clip:

IMRI: When unification is completed, of the Gaza Strip and West Bank under one authority again, what do you expect would happen with the handling of the Gilad Shalit case? Would that still be the purview of Hamas, or would it be the responsibility of this unified authority? 

Shaath: It should be the responsibility of the unified authority, and we should proceed as soon as possible to exchange Shalit for as many Palestinian prisoners as possible...

It seems that Israel's "peace partner" wants to keep a Shalit as a hostage and bargaining chip.

Just like Hamas.

UPDATE: This same Nabil Shaath was interviewed after Shalit's kidnapping, claiming that the PA was doing everything possible to free him!



(h/t Ray Cook)