If Israel could go back to October 2011, it may not have proceeded with the prisoner exchange deal with Hamas and released more than 1,000 prisoners — including senior Hamas officials — in exchange for the liberation of the soldier Gilad Shalit. This is based on Israel's ongoing campaign of arrests in the West Bank launched by intelligence services and the army against former detainees. The Israelis claim that these released prisoners have returned to armed action and are threatening to abduct Israeli soldiers.
According to recent statements by Hamas leaders Osama Hamdan and Sami Abu Zuhri, historical precedent has motivated Hamas to again consider abducting Israeli soldiers. Israel submitted to Hamas' conditions in the most recent exchange and feels that it can repeat such a deal to secure the release of its remaining members behind bars.
