Have Israel, Hamas reopened backchannel to discuss swap deal?

The family of Avraham Mengistu, an Israeli citizen being held in Gaza, demonstrated at the Erez crossing point on Aug. 27, protesting Hamas having held Mengistu for a year now. This was the second public protest initiated by the family this month. Their goal is to put the plight of their son on the national agenda and to compel the government to launch a diplomatic effort to bring about his release.

On Aug. 17, the family and assorted volunteers demonstrated beside Hadarim Prison in the Sharon region, while the families of Palestinian prisoners visited their incarcerated relatives. The Mengistu family and its supporters were trying to send flyers into Gaza reading that their son is emotionally unstable and should be released for humanitarian reasons. But while this demonstration officially targeted the families of Palestinian prisoners, it was actually directed at Israeli decision-makers. Having seen the public campaign for the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit, the members of the Mengistu family apparently estimate that if they fail to win widespread public support for their cause, the country’s decision-makers will be in no rush to enter into negotiations with Hamas that would lead to another release of Palestinian prisoners.