Amman, Jordan -- If I was a mediator, I would put all of my efforts into getting a cease fire agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis that would take advantage of the undereported agreement between Hamas and Fatah, which includes a clear commitment not to carry out any attacks across the '67 green line.
This will stem the rocket attacks against Isrealis and will give Palestinians protection from any more acts of collective punishment, possible assasinations or other crimes of war committed by Israel. Simulatenously, negotiations should take place between Israel and Egypt (or possibly Jordan or even Saudi Arabia) which will include a commitment by Israel to release Palestinian prisoners within two weeks after the safe transfer of the Israeli soldier to an Arab country that would keep him safe until the release of Palestinian prisoners is carried out. This will assure the Israelis that they are not negotiating directly with the Palestinian militants and will ensure the Palestinians that a fraction of the 10,000 prisoners (many being held without charge or trial) are released. Naturally, all the Palestinian ministers and members of parliment that were arrested as bargaining chips by the Israelis would also be released.
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