Hamas said on Friday that captured Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit would not be freed unless Israel simultaneously released long-serving Palestinian prisoners and faction leaders.

"The Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit will never be freed unless our hero prisoners, the long-serving and the faction leaders are freed in a reciprocal and simultaneous manner," senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya told a large Hamas rally in Gaza.

While Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said late last month he would be willing to free many Palestinian prisoners, including those who had served lengthy terms, he indicated Shalit had to be released first.

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Shalit was captured by a group of Palestinian militants, including members of Hamas, during a June 25 cross-border raid which triggered a five-month long IDF offensive into the coastal strip.

A senior Israeli source said early last week Israel would be willing to exchange roughy 1,000 prisoners in exchange for Shalit.

The following day, cabinet minister and former senior Shin Bet official Gideon Ezra (Kadima) proposed releasing imprisoned Fatah-Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti in exchange for Shalit and a pledge to continue the Gaza cease-fire declared last month. Ezra said Barghouti's release could reduce terror and strengthen Fatah as a moderate factor.

Earlier this month, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak confirmed that Israel will have to release women and children as part of a deal for the release of Shalit, even before he is handed back to Israel.

Israel has said it agreed to freeing Palestinian prisoners only after Shalit is returned, because a simultaneous exchange could be seen as "rewarding terror."

Israeli officials have said that there was no decision yet on which prisoners would be released and whether the number might include any with "blood on their hands."