McKinley Statement on Deal between Israel and Hamas on Israeli POW

Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a deal has been reached under Egyptian mediation between Israel and Hamas over Israeli-born prisoner of war Gilad Shalit. Netanyahu convened a special cabinet meeting Tuesday to approve this deal which would allow the captive soldier to be set free. The Prime Minister indicated that Shalit would be released in a few days at a press conference and also tweeted Tuesday, "the agreement to release #Shalit was signed in initials last Thursday and today was signed formally by the two parties."

Since first hearing the story of Shalit in May, McKinley has been committed to securing the release of this innocent soldier. McKinley is a cosponsor of H. Res. 317, a resolution by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) that demands Hamas immediately and unconditionally release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

On his recent trip to Israel, Rep. McKinley was able to ask Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu one question, asking what Americans could do to ensure that Gilad Shilat would be safely released and returned to Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu assured McKinley that they were doing everything possible.

McKinley applauded the breaking news by stating, "Shalit was wrongfully imprisoned and it is uplifting to see a positive resolution that sets this innocent young man free. I applaud this young solider for his bravery over the past five years and commend the tireless work of the leaders who secured the freedom of Gilad Shalit."

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