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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) The release of an Israeli soldier by Hamas as part of a prisoner exchange with Israel is reshaping complex regional ties, mostly in favor of Gaza's once isolated Islamic militant rulers.
The swap, mediated by Egypt, has strengthened Hamas' bond with the regional powerhouse next door and removed a major irritant from its fraught relationship with Israel.
Trading Sgt. Gilad Schalit for 1,027 Palestinians held by Israel also boosted Hamas' flagging popularity at home, at the expense of its main domestic rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Hamas leaders portrayed the swap, the most lopsided in Israel's history, as a victory for the movement's hard-line ideology. Israel only understands the language of force, they said in a jab at Abbas, who until recently had put his faith in negotiations, with little to show for it.
Beyond the popularity at home, the swap has deepened Hamas' relationship with Egypt, its most important ally.
The swap helped boost Egypt's stature as a regional power against competitors Iran and Turkey. In the final phase of the negotiations, Hamas showed flexibility to ensure success, in part to avoid alienating Egypt, analysts said. Hamas made sure that Schalit's first interview, after emerging from captivity, was given to Egyptian television, apparently to highlight Egypt's role.
Prisoner swap reshapes Hamas-Egypt-Israel ties - Yahoo! News
The swap, mediated by Egypt, has strengthened Hamas' bond with the regional powerhouse next door and removed a major irritant from its fraught relationship with Israel.
Trading Sgt. Gilad Schalit for 1,027 Palestinians held by Israel also boosted Hamas' flagging popularity at home, at the expense of its main domestic rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Hamas leaders portrayed the swap, the most lopsided in Israel's history, as a victory for the movement's hard-line ideology. Israel only understands the language of force, they said in a jab at Abbas, who until recently had put his faith in negotiations, with little to show for it.
Beyond the popularity at home, the swap has deepened Hamas' relationship with Egypt, its most important ally.
The swap helped boost Egypt's stature as a regional power against competitors Iran and Turkey. In the final phase of the negotiations, Hamas showed flexibility to ensure success, in part to avoid alienating Egypt, analysts said. Hamas made sure that Schalit's first interview, after emerging from captivity, was given to Egyptian television, apparently to highlight Egypt's role.
Prisoner swap reshapes Hamas-Egypt-Israel ties - Yahoo! News