Hamas leader promises more prisoner exchange deals for Israeli hostages to free Palestinian terrorists

Chairman of Hamas’ Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh: "The prisoners are really a bleeding wound… We promise them that just as we did the first [prisoner] exchange deal, the Loyalty to the Free deal – [when] more than 1,000 [prisoners] were released in exchange for [Israeli soldier] Shalit – and before that the Popular Front – General Command’s deal in 1985, and before it, Fatah [did prisoner exchange deals] two or three times – [so too] Allah willing we will work to release you and break your chains by all possible means."

The Shalit Exchange - In October 2011, the Israeli government agreed to release 1,027 Palestinian terrorist prisoners including murderers, in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held hostage by Hamas for more than 5 years.

The Jibril Exchange was between the Israeli government and the terror organization the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command (PFLP- GC), led by Ahmed Jibril. On May 21, 1985, Israel released 1,150 Palestinian terrorist prisoners, including murderers, in exchange for three Israeli soldiers who had been taken hostage by the PFLP.