Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., July 02, 2008 Sivan 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 18:13 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 00:22 02/07/2008
Report: Hamas gave Egypt a video recording of Gilad Shalit
By Jack Khoury and Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Egypt, Hamas 

The Egyptian magazine al Ahram al Arabi reported Tuesday evening that Hamas has complied with Egypt's demands and transferred a new video recording of the abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, as well as a letter written by him, according to diplomatic sources.

Shalit was kidnapped from his IDF post by Gaza militants in a cross-border raid in June 2006.

Hamas denied the report, saying no video had been handed over. Noam Shalit, Gilad's father, told Haaretz that he was not informed of this development. Political sources in Jerusalem also denied the report.
Advertisement
The magazine, affiliated with the daily newspaper al-Ahram, is considered the mouthpiece of the Egyptian government. The magazine reported that the video was meant to prove that the soldier was still alive and in good health, in efforts to advance negotiations on a prisoner swap deal that would see him released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The report did not mention whether the tape was handed over to Israel's negotiations coordinator Ofer Dekel or the Shalit family.

The report went on to say that the name of the leader of the Tanzim in the West Bank, Marwan Barghouti, appeared on Hamas' list of prisoners it wants freed under the swap. Barghouti is currently serving multiple life sentences in Israel for his involvement in dozens of terror operations.

Al-Ahram goes on to say that Israel has demanded that the Palestinian prisoners released under the deal make a commitment to refrain from acting against Israel in the future.

Despite the denials of Israeli sources and the Shalit family that the transfer took place, sources in the Egyptian embassy said that the magazine was a reliable news source close to senior officials which generally does not publish speculations nor does it rely on disreputable sources.

Earlier Tuesday, Noam Shalit continued to voice harsh criticism over the way the prime minister and the state of Israel were handling his son's situation. He accused Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of being ineffective and lacking determination to achieve his son's release.

"Successful negotiations over the ransom for hostages are derived from a leader's creativity, determination, experience and willingness to consult with others on the issue, and unfortunately, I did not see that kind of effectiveness in the prime minister," Shalit said.

Speaking at a conference on prisoners at Bar Ilan University, Shalit said "Olmert asked Hamas to compose a list of prisoners they want Israel to release. Who's ever heard of such a thing? Then they took nine months to formulate the list, which ended up 'heavy.' Nine months of Gilad's life down the drain."

Shalit also said that the IDF is the people's army, not a mercenary army, and therefore "the return of the captive troops is an obligation that stems from the army's values."
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Death penalty
Iran hands down death sentence to man who spied for Israel.
Robot hospital
The place where IDF treats droids wounded in the line of fire.
  1.   Reminder: Palestinian prisoners get visitation rights 00:32  |  Joe Sittizen 02/07/08
  2.   #1 01:12  |  Doron 02/07/08
  3.   Prisoneer swap 01:17  |  Marc 02/07/08
  4.   A little comment 01:54  |  Liz 02/07/08
  5.   Release the children,you savages! 03:52  |  lakshmi 02/07/08
  6.   Joe Sittizen - Israeli prisons sound wonderful! 06:21  |  Natallie Durson 02/07/08
  7.   Lakshmi, 15 year old terrorists are terrorists 06:38  |  No bombs 02/07/08
  8.   Now Natallie Durson, How Did You Come By All This Top Secret 07:17  |  Eli 02/07/08
 Read & React
Three dead, dozens hurt in Jerusalem terror attack
Responses: 138
UN troops in Lebanon coerced into deleting images of underground cables
Responses: 84
Israel's saber-rattling against Iran could backfire
Responses: 107
Carlo Strenger: Israel will recover its morality only when W. Bank horrors end
Responses: 53
Rosner's Domain / Why do Arabs prefer Hamas over Fatah?
Responses: 53
Rosner's Domain
The rules have changed! Klein still alive! (WTR)
Why do Arabs support Hamas over Fatah?
New poll: Do you believe Israel might attack Iran?
Israel's image still under renovation
The possibility of an Israeli air strike on Iran (WTR)


More Headlines
16:23 At least four dead, dozens hurt in Jerusalem terror attack
18:00 VIDEO: Policeman shoots and kills Jerusalem terrorist during rampage
17:40 Olmert: Is it possible to raze home of Jerusalem terrorist?
17:04 Jerusalem bus driver: Terrorist looked me in the eye and drove at me
16:58 New laws aim to revoke Israeli Arab terrorists' citizenship
16:39 Six Egypt police wounded as Gazans try to storm Rafah border
11:38 Will the real Zohan please stand up?
14:10 Britain tightens ban on Hezbollah to cover military wing
14:40 VIDEO: Police anti-terror unit steps up preparations for hostage scenario
10:13 UN troops in Lebanon forced to delete images of covert cables
10:50 Israel's saber-rattling against Iran could backfire
15:13 Why do Arabs prefer Hamas over Fatah?
12:58 Report: Iran willing to suspend nuclear program for at least six weeks
14:40 Report: Israel, Syria to hold direct negotiations after next round of talks
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
SAVE TALIA!
and hundreds of cancer patients around the world
Dan Hotels Israel
Live the Legend & experience an Unforgettable Summer Vacation
Holyland Park
Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury
In the heart of Tel-Aviv
The Meier on Rothschild tower
Your vacation starts here
Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates
Hebrew Summer courses
From $39.95
Pardes Institute Summer Sessions
http://www.pardes.org.il/
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved